Unionization is reshaping the cannabis shipping and logistics landscape. As cannabis transitions from illicit beginnings to a federally regulated industry, shipping—including delivery drivers, warehouse workers, and depot staff—has become a hotbed for labor organizing. The pressing question: is this good or bad?
Safety & Fair Pay: A Clear Plus
Union advocates note that cannabis delivery drivers often transport high-value product and cash, making them vulnerable to theft, low pay, and wage theft. A UCLA Labor Center survey found that cannabis delivery workers frequently “carry thousands of dollars in cannabis products and cash” and face workplace hazards, with over 62 % reporting wage theft.
Once unionized, workers reap measurable benefits. The same report revealed that 69 % of unionized workers got raises, compared to 50 % of non-union peers—and 65 % received employer-provided health insurance versus 41 % of non-union employees. Nationally, unionized cannabis workers make up to $8,690 more per year than their non-union counterparts, with workers of color seeing income gains of up to 32 %. Such figures signal dramatic upside for workers in safety and pay.
Labor Peace Agreements: Fueling Expansion, Sparking Debate
Labor peace agreements (LPAs) have been instrumental. States like California, New York, New Jersey, and Virginia mandate or incentivize cannabis businesses to adopt LPAs to obtain licenses.
This surge allows unions to enter a sector previously neglected. But these agreements come with caveats: employers must remain neutral, while unions must refrain from strikes or pickets—potentially limiting leverage. The Oregon Supreme Court even struck down a mandatory LPA law for suppressing employer free speech. New York now faces a similar constitutional challenge.
Real-World Friction: The Eaze Cases
Unionization isn’t friction-free. Delivery startup Eaze saw nearly 600 drivers unionize in 2023, threatening a strike over mileage cuts from 56¢ to 42¢ per mile—reducing earnings by $300–$700 monthly. Moreover, supervisors earning just $18 per hour report they make less than the workers they supervise, and find themselves excluded from union protections. These disputes show that while unions can secure better terms, tensions and challenges remain over who benefits and how negotiations unfold.
Benefits vs. Constraints: A Balancing Act
Overall, unionization promotes safer working conditions, improved pay, and solid benefits—critical in a high-risk, cash-intensive field. In that context, it’s undeniably positive. Unionized drivers report higher wages, better healthcare, and safer workplaces.
However, the constraints imposed by LPAs and limited bargaining options, plus legal pushback, signal potential downsides. Employers argue against stifling their voice and flexibility. Workers may exchange the right to strike for job security—creating a trade-off in agency.
A Net Positive with Work to Do
Unionization in cannabis shipping is, on balance, good. It addresses dangerous working conditions, gives workers stronger negotiating power, and raises job standards. But it’s not a panacea. Legal challenges to LPAs, uneven benefits, and internal conflicts (e.g., supervisors vs. drivers) highlight areas needing refinement. As federal legalization edges closer, policymakers and industry stakeholders must strike the delicate balance: uphold workers’ rights without unduly constraining business flexibility.