The grand reopening of The Apothecarium’s Cumberland, Maryland dispensary on Sept. 5 drew more than customers. Roughly two dozen workers, labor organizers and community supporters gathered outside the store, raising concerns about what they described as ongoing retaliation and union-busting by the cannabis retailer, according to a press release from UFCW Local 27.
The demonstration, organized by members of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 27, coincided with the company’s promotional reopening event. Protesters carried signs, played music and offered free food while calling attention to what they say is a year-long struggle to secure a first contract at the dispensary.
Workers at the location voted unanimously in 2024 to join UFCW Local 27, citing low pay and workplace conditions as motivating factors. Since then, union leaders allege the company has fired vocal union supporters, delayed negotiations, and resisted demands for “just cause” protections that would prevent employees from being dismissed without explanation.
“When a company makes millions off the backs of workers but refuses to guarantee basic rights like just cause protections, it shows they have no respect for working people or this community,” UFCW Local 27 President Jason Chorpening said in a statement. “This town has a proud union tradition, and we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with these workers.”
The Cumberland dispensary is operated by The Apothecarium, a brand owned by TerrAscend Corp., which has cannabis operations in multiple states. According to UFCW, the store generates more than $1 million in monthly sales, while entry-level employees earn around $16.50 per hour.
TerrAscend, publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange, has faced financial headwinds in recent years. Its stock has fallen from more than $14 in 2021 to below $1 this year, alongside store closures in Michigan and regulatory challenges in New Jersey. For now, UFCW Local 27 says it plans to continue public demonstrations until progress is made at the bargaining table.
