Missouri Cannabis Workers Secure Historic Union Wins and Inspire Statewide Organizing

Missouri's cannabis industry is witnessing a wave of union victories, with dispensary and post-harvest workers successfully organizing and negotiating contracts across the state. Last week, employees at High Profile Cannabis in Columbia unanimously ratified what union representatives describe as Missouri’s first collective bargaining agreement for cannabis workers, guaranteeing improved pay and paid vacation. This achievement has energized organizing efforts at other cannabis businesses, including Proper Brands in St. Louis, where post-harvest staff recently voted to unionize, and Vibe Cannabis, where an election is set for late July

Union momentum has been building since Missouri legalized recreational marijuana in 2023, attracting a surge of new cannabis jobs. Many employees faced years of legal challenges and employer resistance, but recent successes and a landmark federal labor ruling have shifted the landscape. "They basically thought it was impossible when all these companies were fighting, and now the workers are winning," said Sean Shannon, organizing director at UFCW Local 655, reflecting the growing optimism among cannabis workers statewide

Sierra Lutz, who helped launch the High Profile union petition and now leads efforts at Vibe Cannabis, emphasized the importance of perseverance. "The workplace won’t change overnight, but change will come," Lutz said, noting that patience and solidarity have been crucial to their organizing campaigns. The recent National Labor Relations Board decision, which affirmed the right of post-harvest cannabis workers to unionize under federal law, has further empowered employees like Lutz to push for fairer treatment and better working conditions

At Proper Brands, post-harvest trainer Katie Hazelwonder described the narrow 25-21 unionization vote as the result of collective determination through a challenging process. "This victory is about all of us having a voice and having a seat at the table," Hazelwonder said. Company founder John Pennington expressed respect for the outcome and affirmed Proper Brands’ commitment to "building a constructive relationship rooted in mutual respect, open communication, and our shared goal of producing the highest-quality cannabis products for Missouri."

Vibe Cannabis workers have cited issues like inconsistent holiday policies, lack of perks, and challenging working conditions—such as high temperatures and limited access to safety equipment—as motivations for organizing. Bird Herndon, a post-harvest employee at Vibe, highlighted the need for "consistent access to safety equipment like respirators" and the value of structured collective bargaining to improve workplace safety. Employees are also seeking benefits like a 401(k) retirement plan and have connected with unionized peers at other companies to share strategies and support

These developments mark a pivotal moment for Missouri’s cannabis workforce, as successful union contracts set new standards for the industry and inspire further organizing. OG Lab notes that with more victories and a supportive legal environment, Missouri could become a model for labor organizing in the cannabis sector nationwide, signaling a maturing industry where worker voices play a central role in shaping its future