In Seattle, a recent regulation has been enacted to enhance labor safeguards for cannabis dispensary employees. This step is part of the city authorities’ continuous effort to ensure fairness and equity in the marijuana sector.
The newly introduced regulation came into effect last week and mandates that all transitioning cannabis companies issue a “notice of change in control” in writing. Additionally, these businesses must also provide an incoming cannabis employer with a list of preferred hires. The incoming employer is then obligated to retain these employees for a stipulated period post-transition, alongside adhering to other hiring and retention criteria.
Director of Seattle’s Office of Labor Standards, Steven Marchese, reinforced that his office is devoted to outreach, education, and enforcement of this novel labor standard. He believes that this regulation, known as the Cannabis Employee Job Retention Ordinance, safeguards the rights of workers in this sector, which contributes to a more stable work environment, a robust workforce, and boosts the overall Seattle economy.
A renowned cannabis activist and a former local cannabis union member, Cody Funderburk, who also works in the industry, praised the ordinance as a significant move in defending the rights of employees in the cannabis industry. He affirmed that this regulation will provide job security for thousands of employees in Washington State’s cannabis sector. Employees, he believes, will have more peace of mind, knowing their livelihoods are secured as the cannabis industry keeps progressing rapidly.
The Office of Labor Standards shared in a press release that the new ordinance mirrors the commitment of Seattle city and its mayor, Bruce Harrell, towards fostering fair outcomes in the cannabis industry. It also seeks to clarify provisions regarding preferential hiring, employment offers, and justified termination from employment.
In the previous summer, Harrell proposed three bills to the Seattle city council, aiming to enhance diversity in the local cannabis industry. These bills, according to a press release from Harrell’s office, addressed issues such as: creating a city-level social equity license, establishing a framework for future cannabis-related businesses, ensuring transparency to employees about cannabis store ownership, requiring a 90-day retention of the workforce during ownership changes, setting up a short-term cannabis advisory committee, implementing a needs assessment, collaborating with county and community efforts to expunge pre-2014 cannabis-related convictions, and developing a state and federal legislative agenda promoting cannabis equity, safety improvements, capital investments, and access to banking services.
Harrell explained that these proposals are intended to facilitate the evolving cannabis industry in the city. He believes that equity in the industry implies safe working conditions, fair treatment for workers, store ownership that includes communities most impacted by the war on drugs, and a commitment to fairness, innovation, and opportunity.
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