MMJ Workers turn to Colorado Unions for Support

MMJ Workers Turn To Colorado Unions

The U.S. Justice Department has recently warned marijuana dispensaries and licensed growers in Colorado and other states with medical marijuana laws that they could face prosecution for violating federal drug and money-laundering laws. In response, medical marijuana in Colorado workers are turning to the union for support and believe if the members come together, they can come up with collective bargaining agreements proving medical marijuana is an essential part of the retail health care, agriculture and food processing industries.

So far actions taken by the labor union have helped foster encouragement among dispensary owners and employees working in the MMJ industry.  Two months ago the union formed a Medical Cannabis and Hemp Workers Division, which has already grown to over 2,000 members in Colorado and California.   For Colorado residents, some medical marijuana experts are saying that this warning from the U.S. Justice Department could be a threat, but feel confident the Colorado union can withstand the federal pressure. According to an article by the Associated Press in the Colorado Springs Gazette, the professional organizations involved in the medical marijuana industry of Colorado are keeping the entire industry in place. In fact, a source went on to say that regulating and taxing recreational marijuana use (on top of medical marijuana) could raise a significant amount of funding for Colorado schools. In order for this to happen, it will take the power of Colorado unions as well as financial backing.


Other Colorado residents feel as though the backing of medical marijuana dispensaries by Colorado Unions won’t have much of an impact on the state of Colorado, because the majority of pot dispensaries are mom and pop shops that do not wish to be associated with Colorado unions. If they don’t gain the support of Colorado unions, they will be more likely to feel the threat of Federal authorities like the U.S. Justice Department. The Colorado unions are coming around the dispensaries in a joint effort to allow everyone to see how much the marijuana market in Colorado boosts the economy by bringing in additional money in tax revenue.


A partnership with the union could mean better organization for those rallying to keep marijuana legal in Colorado. With union member’s connection to legislative powers, joining efforts could prove beneficial for those working in the medical marijuana industry. On November 1st, a ballot to ban marijuana businesses will be presented. If it’s approved, the 8,000 workers who are associated with these dispensaries will likely be out of work. In addition, the millions of tax dollar contributed to the Colorado economy by taxes on the marijuana will discontinue to flow into our state’s funds.

Colorado union workers and dispensary owners are really teaming up to fight this. In fact, they have raised nearly eight times more money than people supporting the ban, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette. This next month will be a month of waiting, joining together and raising funds to support keeping dispensaries and the marijuana industry alive in Colorado.