On Oct. 1, cannabis workers at The Apothecarium Dispensary of Salisbury, Md., joined UFCW Local 27. These workers organized around critical issues, including better pay, job security, scheduling, benefits, workplace safety, and overall fairness.
This is the third Apothecarium location in Maryland to successfully unionize with the UFCW in 2024. In August, workers at The Apothecarium in Cumberland unanimously voted to unionize with UFCW Local 27, and in September, workers at The Apothecarium in Burtonsville unanimously voted to unionize with UFCW Local 400.
“We are so proud of these workers and the fight they have waged,” said UFCW Local 27 President Jason Chorpenning. “Cannabis dispensaries across Maryland gross over $1 million a month at most locations, while paying workers just over minimum wage. Workers deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, and paid a living wage with good benefits. It is our job to lead the fight for these workers.”
The UFCW’s Cannabis Program started this campaign and built strong relationships with the workers at the Salisbury location. UFCW Local 27 collaborated with the Cannabis Program and workers, and held informational meetings, button making parties, and other events to organize the workplace.
These workers now head to the bargaining table to negotiate for better pay, job security, and workplace safety.
“Participating in and winning the election here has been an incredible experience,” said Harrison Schaire, who is a budtender at The Apothecarium Dispensary of Salisbury. “It’s truly meaningful to have participated in such a fundamental and historic institution in our democratic society with so many wonderful people. This is one of the stories in my life I want to pass down.”
UFCW Local 27 represents cannabis workers in 11 other dispensaries across Maryland and Delaware.