Medical cannabis dispensary workers in Canada join union

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Medical marijuana dispensary workers in Canada have joined a union in what some are calling a first for the country, borrowing a page from organized labor in the United States.

According to the Canadian Press, workers at Canna Clinic – which has several locations in Toronto plus clinics in Vancouver, British Columbia – have joined Unifor, the country’s major private-sector union.

The Canadian Press reported that some 40 workers, including production, packaging and retail staff, are now unionized.

The next step is for the union to negotiate a contract with Canna Clinic, the news agency noted.

Unifor represents autoworkers as well as communications and energy professionals, among others, and consists of some 310,000 members.

In the United States, unions have been targeting marijuana workers in states where cannabis has been legalized, including California, Colorado, Oregon and Minnesota.