With the acquisition of three San Jose dispensaries, Stiiizy, the nation’s largest cannabis retailer, now employs more than 300 UFCW Local 5 members at 17 locations throughout Northern California.

When the company purchased the Airfield Supply, Caliva, and Deli dispensaries it retained the existing workforce and automatically recognized the union pursuant to its state-wide collective bargaining agreement with the UFCW. Budtenders, inventory assistants and other workers received pay increases along with pension and health care coverage, sick leave, and other benefits along with scheduling rights and a grievance procedure.

Cerina Vallejo has been a Budtender at Airfield Supply for three years. She has experienced several company changes during that time but is excited about the Stiiizy affiliation and the product availability, quality consistency, and pricing structure that it has brought to the dispensary, she says.

She sees her role as “part salesperson, part therapist, and part pharmacist”, and is passionate about her profession.

“It’s important to show that we care about each customer. Sure, it’s cannabis, but it’s our job to make recommendations that can help people access it in ways that meet their individual needs and desires,” says Cerina.

Cerina appreciates the “safety net of accountability and the respect of employee rights” that union membership provides, and she is particularly pleased with her newly acquired PTO and pension benefits, she says.

Nicolas Hernandez, also an Airfield Supply Budtender, “fell in love with the job” after years of restaurant work. In his six years at the dispensary, he has learned to educate not just customers, but the general community as well, he says, moving past the stigma of cannabis to explain how it works and what it can and cannot accomplish.

“It’s not just about having the most potent THC flower on the shelf,” Nicolas says. “While many cannabis consumers just want to get high, we help others discover sub-cannabinoids, topicals, and other derivatives that can treat a wide range of specific health concerns. We are building a wellness community through our work.”

Stiiizy and the UFCW have developed a strong partnership and have created a Joint Labor Management Committee “to further the parties’ collaborative effort to advocate for and protect the rights of workers and consumers in the Cannabis Industry and oppose efforts to undermine or interfere with these rights.” On its website the company explains that it is “driven by entrepreneurial spirit; guided by an authentic understanding of cannabis and cannabis culture; and committed to social justice.”

In addition to the San Jose locations, Local 5 represents Stiiizy workers at dispensaries in Fairfield, Oakland, San Francisco, El Cerrito, Pacheco, Marina, Suisun City, Benicia, Alameda, Seaside, Hollister, Concord, and Vallejo.