California Teamsters contribute to group opposing MJ legalization

One of California’s biggest unions labor has contributed $25,000 to a group dedicated to defeating adult-use marijuana legalization this year in the state.

The California Teamsters chapter gave the money to the Coalition for Responsible Drug Policies, an anti-legalization group, ATT: reported. And a Teamsters lobbyist told the news site that his organization has “serious concerns” about the initiative California voters will likely decide on this November.

The Teamster’s primary gripe with the Adult Use of Marijuana Act – the legalization measure backed by tech billionaire Sean Parker – focuses on distribution and transportation, the lobbyist said.

He added the trucking union would instead prefer an “independent distribution model,” more akin to what’s set up for the alcohol industry.

Because the legalization measure wouldn’t follow the same type of distribution model, Teamsters members could lose out on a financial windfall if the measure passes – and Teamster drivers aren’t needed to help transport cannabis to market.

The lobbyist said the donation was also intended to help pay for polling, and doesn’t necessarily indicate direct opposition to the AUMA.