No vote for Kentucky’s first cannabis union

Just weeks ahead of the state’s first expected vote on unionization in the cannabis industry, the petition has been withdrawn and no vote will occur.

The initial unionization vote was expected to come from the SWADE dispensary location in The Grove in February.

SWADE issued a statement to Greenway in light of the news that the unionization vote would not occur.

“We have always put our staff first with industry-leading pay and benefits, time off, team events, and more and understand that the need to unionize was not there at this time. We will continue to strive for excellence within our community and our four walls.”

Few details are currently available as to why the petition was withdrawn, but instances like this are not uncommon in union settings with smaller employee groups where margins may be determined by only one or two employees.

SWADE currently offers employees benefits including healthcare, dental, and vision coverage, with 100 percent of the premiums paid for employees and 50 percent for dependents as well as a starting pay of $15.00. Nationally, budtenders average $15.74 hourly, according to Vangst.

In Kentucky, 57% of non-cannabis retail workers make less than $11.00 per hour.

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