Union Picks Up Cannabis Workers

by Hudson Kamphausen CTNewsJunkie

Cannabis workers of Zen Leaf Dispensary in Waterbury ratified their first union contract with United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 919 by a unanimous vote last week. 
The contract, according to UFCW 919, includes all dispensary workers – technicians, leads, and pharmacists – and could bring wage increases, health insurance, and increased paid time off, along with other benefits. The contract is a three-year deal – which is the typical length – that is the first of its kind in the state, and harkens after a contract ratified between UFCW Local 919 and Advanced Grow Labs – a cultivator that also distributes its product  – in December of 2023. 
“The workers at Zen Leaf Dispensary raised the bar for all Connecticut dispensary workers,” Director of Organizing Emily Sabo said Friday. “We are so proud of the hard work they put in to reach an agreement that sets a new standard for cannabis dispensary jobs.”

UFCW Local 919 is a local chapter of UFCW, which represents 1.3 million workers in various fields across the country, and currently represents almost 7,000 workers in Connecticut. 
There are currently 20 active medical and “hybrid retail” dispensaries in Connecticut, according to the Department of Consumer Protection. Between dispensaries and the cultivators that provide them with their product there are 2,187 licensed cannabis workers in Connecticut.  
Several cannabis dispensaries across the state have unionized with UFCW over the last year, and UFCW Local 919 President Mark A. Espinosa said in the release that it is a momentous moment for cannabis workers in the state. 

“Connecticut cannabis workers are on a roll,” he said. “Zen Leaf Dispensary workers took a big step towards a better future and a better cannabis industry with their new union contract.”
Zen Leaf Dispensary is a medical dispensary, which means that patrons must obtain a certificate in order to purchase from them, and Advanced Grow Labs is a cultivator and distributor. 
The total combined sales since the launch of adult-use cannabis last year was $274 million – an estimated $144.7 million for recreational sales and $129.2 million in medical sales. 

According to the Department of Revenue Services, the state collected $21.7 million on those sales as of November 30, 2023. State recreational cannabis taxes include a standard 6.35% sales tax and an excise tax, which changes based on the amount of THC sold per unit.
The latest sales figures though show that adult use is down 9.07% compared to December 2023 and medical is down 9.68% during that same time period. That’s likely due to the shortage of flower available in the state. 
Fine Fettle sent an email to its customers last month writing in part: “We are currently facing a flower shortage in the state due to limited product availability from our suppliers. We are doing everything we can to get more flower products from them and stock our shelves.”

Since recreational cannabis became legal in Connecticut, only one additional producer has opened, but 21 new dispensaries opened.
The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, which regulates the industry, said it appears it’s a temporary problem as new growers make their way online. Eleven cultivators and five microcultivators have received a provisional license and are moving toward final licensure. 
The record sales numbers in November and December show that demand was high over the holidays and the industry has yet to catch up.