Workers at The Apothecarium cannabis dispensary in Nottingham, Maryland voted on March 5, 2026, to unionize with United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 27, union officials said in a press release last week. The vote continues a period of labor organizing within Maryland’s cannabis industry that has included several unionization efforts at Apothecarium locations and other dispensaries.
According to UFCW Local 27, workers at the Nottingham store voted in favor of union representation despite what the union described as significant opposition from management, including anti‑union messaging and meetings. The union claims that some employees faced disciplinary actions after the organizing petition was filed.
The union reported that some employees received disciplinary actions after the union petition was filed. There were also reports that at least one worker was terminated during the organizing campaign. These claims have not been independently verified by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) or the company. UFCW Local 27 has said it may file formal complaints with the NLRB regarding conduct during the campaign.
The union said the vote makes all TerrAscend‑owned Apothecarium dispensaries in Maryland unionized, noting previous wins at other locations. Workers have said their priorities for collective bargaining include higher wages, stable scheduling, fair disciplinary systems and improved workplace conditions. Independent reporting confirms a trend of organizing activity at several Apothecarium dispensaries in Maryland, including previous union campaigns and filings with the NLRB.
TerrAscend, a multi‑state cannabis operator that owns Apothecarium dispensaries in Maryland and other states, did not immediately issue a statement responding to the union’s allegations or the outcome of the vote. Public data shows the company operates a number of retail dispensaries nationwide under The Apothecarium and other brand names.
Following a union election, the next step for the workers and the union is to begin negotiations toward a first collective bargaining agreement. Under U.S. labor law, employers and union representatives are expected to negotiate in good faith once a union is certified as the representative of a workforce.
