A question about UFCW, medical cannabis, and dispensaries…Posted by Mickey Martin on February 21st, 2012

So…as I sit back and ponder the role of UFCW in the cannabis movement a realization came to mind…

NONE of the major dispensaries, or edible companies, or other large organizations in the industry are in UFCW. Why?

I mean, if the UFCW is so great for our industry then why have the large spots like BPG, Harborside, SPARC, Peace in Medicine, Organicann, The Farmacy, all of Montel’s shops, or any other MAJOR players in the industry jumped on board? Do these organizations not feel UFCW is a good option for the industry, or just their shops?

My argument, as a person who grew up the son of a Union man in NYC, is that Unions organize the workers generally; but in the cannabis industry the Union is approaching management, almost in an effort to provide political cover, rather than actually benefit the workers. I think most workers in the cannabis industry get paid fairly well, and do not see the benefits of a collective bargaining agreement that may end up providing less benefits at some places who really take care of their folks, and cost them dues. Most cannabis businesses go above and beyond for their workers from what I see, so is the reason for very little buy in because there is very little need for union protection in an industry where workers are treated well?

The only folks I see signing on are the little shop that wants to capitalize off of the press release, or maybe a shop in an area where they could use the political muscle to help them negotiate with the municipality; but I do not see many of the long time providers in this industry signing up, and I was just wondering why?

I know in the Oakland permit process, Dan Rush and UFCW5 worked hard to ensure applicants were forced to commit to being a union shop to gain bonus points in the RFPA, but even then the Union tried to play kingmaker and only support 4 applicants; until some of those applicants plans went south and then they offered their 4 slots to a couple of other spots. Last time I checked unions generally tried to get as many contracts as possible, so it is interesting that in the Oakland application process they were only supporting a limited few. Why is that?

What is the real motivation for UFCW5 in the medical cannabis landscape and if it is such a benefit to our cause, why are there not more well-known medical cannabis organizations taking part? If I am correct, even Oaksterdam cut their contract, and that was only for the school, right? What gives? Why no love for the Union in the REAL world? If all of these dispensaries want us to jump on board with this UFCW effort, tell them to jump on board and join the union then. As long as the MMRCT site,www.regulatemedicalmarijuana.org, is flying the UFCW flag and is being put forth by the Union and ASA, any of these dispensary operators who have contacted me to ask me to support the effort should join the Union and walk the walk. This includes Don Duncan’s LAPCG in West Hollywood.

If you guys want the industry to get on board with the UFCW effort then do it yourself. Otherwise I will just assume that this is another empty and transparent effort to use the Union’s muscle to save yourself with zero intention of actually using their services. If UFCW is so great and we should all follow their lead, I would hope to see all of these major medical cannabis organizations signed up by next week. Otherwise I will assume that this is just another tactic by the Union and yourself to do whatever it takes to save the few at the expense of the many.

And let us not forget that it was during the Oakland Mega-Grow debate where UFCW and Dan Rush really began their historic journey into medical cannabis and stated this to the press after Oakland passed the legislation:

“This issue is about jobs. It’s about jobs and taxes,” said union leader Dan Rush of UFCW 5, or in his words the “United Food and Cannabis Workers.” He said his union supports the legislation, but it isn’t against smaller-scale growers.

“The city has an obligation to put 80 police officers back to work. We should do everything we can to create those jobs,” Rush said. “Union 5’s position is we want unity in this industry and we want uniformity in this industry.”

http://oaklandlocal.com/article/oakland-city-council-approves-landmark-medical-cannabis-cultivation-ordinance

How did that political leadership turn out again? Oh yeah…with the first letter from Melinda Haag that sparked several others across the nation, and is what many blame for the current crackdown….