In a move mirroring similar actions across Maryland, cannabis workers at The Apothecarium Dispensary in Salisbury filed to form a union with UFCW Local 27 on Friday, August 30th. The decision comes amid a growing wave of unionization efforts in the state’s cannabis industry.
This follows a successful union vote on August 9th where workers at The Apothecarium Dispensary in Cumberland unanimously voted 25-0 to join UFCW Local 27. Additionally, workers at The Apothecarium Dispensary in Burtonsville are currently seeking unionization with UFCW Local 400 and are scheduled for a union election in the coming weeks.
“Local 27 is on the front lines everyday fighting for respect, dignity and fairness for our workers. Local 27 is the Cannabis Workers’ Union and we’ve had great success this year helping dispensary workers to improve their lives,” said Local 27 President Jason Chorpenning. “These dispensary workers all across the state of Maryland and Delaware generate millions of dollars for these wealthy corporations. They are not asking for an equal share of the profits. They are demanding to make a living wage, have good benefits and to be able to take care of their families.”
The decision to unionize in Salisbury reportedly stems from concerns about stagnant wages, job security, safety issues and unpredictable scheduling practices. Workers claim their pay has actually decreased since TerrAscend Corp. (NYSE: TSNDF) acquired the dispensary in June 2023, despite the company boasting a net revenue of $77.5 million with Maryland wholesale revenue growth of 117% in Q2 2024.
“To see this movement bloom is just so thrilling now that we know our strength and collective voice,” said Wellness Associate Kate Sweitzer. “We have a chance to make a real difference in the way corporations treat their most important asset — their employees.”
UFCW Local 27 attributes the rapid mobilization in Salisbury to the Cannabis Workers’ Rising Program, a department within the UFCW International Union. The program collaborated with Local 27 to secure a supermajority of union card signatures from Salisbury dispensary workers within a week.
This union drive adds to the 11 other cannabis dispensaries across Maryland and Delaware already represented by UFCW Local 27.
