Despite significant public opposition, the Washington State House recently passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill (ESHB) 1141, legislation intended to allow unionization of cannabis farmworkers. The bill, which advanced with a 55-40 vote, is now under consideration in the Senate.
Critics, including over 70% of public testimony participants and cannabis industry stakeholders, argue the bill unfairly singles out cannabis workers and imposes unionization via a controversial “card check” system.
This method involves public declaration through signatures collected by union organizers, raising concerns about potential intimidation or coercion. Many advocates instead favor a secret ballot approach to union formation, which offers workers privacy and protection from potential harassment.
Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self, the bill’s sponsor, described it as correcting an inequity. However, opponents noted that the recent state audit of cannabis industry oversight identified several areas needing improvement—none related to labor practices or unionization.
Opponents also highlighted the legal ambiguity around cannabis, noting federal classification as a controlled substance conflicts with state-level legalization, complicating its status as an agricultural product.
This legislation has sparked debate over the necessity of unionization and its potential impacts on Washington’s cannabis industry, especially given the clear opposition expressed by those directly involved in the sector.
