Cannabis workers at The Apothecarium dispensaries in Cumberland and Salisbury, Maryland, are intensifying their fight for a fair contract, alleging union-busting tactics by parent company TerrAscend. On June 28, employees, joined by supporters, held all-day informational pickets, drawing widespread community support.
The picketing follows overwhelming union victories in 2024, where workers at both locations voted to join UFCW Local 27. Despite these results, the union claims TerrAscend has refused to bargain in good faith, instead engaging in a campaign of retaliation, firings, and intimidation against pro-union employees.
Jason Chorpenning, President of UFCW Local 27, stated that community support was evident with continuous honking from passing cars and customers expressing solidarity. “Cumberland and Salisbury are union towns—and the people here aren’t going to stand by while a giant corporation tries to crush local workers,” Chorpenning said.
The union accuses TerrAscend of hiring an anti-union law firm and targeting employees with unjust write-ups and threats. A key sticking point in negotiations is the company’s refusal to agree to a “just cause” clause, which would protect workers from arbitrary dismissal.
While each dispensary reportedly generates over a million dollars in monthly sales and the company’s CEO earns nearly two million annually, most frontline workers are paid just above minimum wage, often lacking healthcare and job security.
UFCW Local 27 highlights the benefits of unionized cannabis jobs, including higher wages (15-30% more on average), guaranteed healthcare, paid time off, retirement benefits, and protection from unjust firing.
“These workers aren’t asking for an equal share of the profits—they’re asking for basic fairness,” Chorpenning asserted, warning that customers may take their business elsewhere if TerrAscend does not respect its employees.
UFCW Local 27 is urging TerrAscend to cease retaliatory actions, return to the bargaining table, and negotiate a contract that respects the workers’ vote and community values. Further pickets are planned for Sunday and Monday as part of the union’s “Phase 1” actions.
