New law grants Seattle pharmacy employees stronger job protections

A newly enacted regulation in Seattle will give the city’s cannabis dispensary workers stronger labor protections. This is part of an ongoing effort by executives to make the marijuana industry fairer.

The regulation, which went into effect last Wednesday, requires departing cannabis employers to issue a “written notice of a change of control” and “provide the new cannabis employer with a preferred hiring list,” while also requiring the new employer to “retain insured workers for a specified period after the transfer” and follow “other hiring and retention requirements.”

Steven Marchese, director of the Seattle Office of Labor Standards, said his office is “committed to popularizing, educating, and enforcing the latest labor standards in Seattle.”

Marchese said the new law, known as the Cannabis Employee Job Retention Ordinance, “provides protections for workers in this industry that will help create a stable workplace, a stronger workforce, and contribute to a better overall economy for Seattle.”

Cody Funderburk, a local cannabis activist who works in the cannabis industry and is a former member of a local cannabis union, called the Cannabis Employee Job Retention Ordinance “a monumental step in protecting the rights of cannabis industry employees”.

“The impact of this legislation will improve job security for thousands of employees in Washington State’s cannabis industry. “Workers deserve reassurance that their livelihoods are secure as the cannabis industry continues to rapidly change and evolve,” Funderburk said in a statement.

A press release from the Office of Labor Standards said the new ordinance reflects the City of Seattle and its Mayor Bruce Harrell’s commitment to “improve equitable outcomes in the cannabis industry and to clarify issues raised in the ordinance, including provisions related to preferential hiring, job offers and firings for good cause.”

Last summer, Harrell introduced three bills to Seattle City Council aimed at promoting diversity in the local cannabis industry.

According to a press release from Harrell’s office at the time, the three bills aimed to require: “Creation of a city-level social justice license designed to lower barriers to opening cannabis stores for underrepresented communities and those most affected by the war on drugs; In partnership with the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board, it is laying the groundwork for future cannabis companies to be able to license under a social justice framework. Provide transparency to employees regarding the ownership of cannabis business license holders; A 90-day retention of store employees will be required in the event of a change of ownership, similar to the protections introduced for hotel workers in 2019. Creation of a short-term Cannabis Advisory Committee, selected in cooperation with City Council, to gather input from workers, community members and industry leaders on cannabis justice and needs; Conducting a needs analysis to understand additional steps to make the industry more resilient and sustainable for diverse communities; Working with county and city efforts to advance work to overturn convictions for cannabis-related offenses prior to 2014; Develop a state and federal legislative agenda to advance cannabis justice, safety improvements, capital investment and access to banking services.”

Harrell said the proposals were aimed at helping the city’s cannabis industry continue to develop.

“As the cannabis industry evolves, we must correct course and support the communities that have all too often been left behind. Justice in this industry means safe working conditions and fair treatment of workers, store ownership that includes communities hardest hit by the war on drugs, and a commitment to fairness, innovation and opportunity,” said Harrell.