A bill that would establish collective bargaining rights for marijuana cultivation and processing workers in Washington is set for a public hearing in the Senate Ways and Means Committee on April 8.
House Bill 1141 was approved by the House last month in a 55 to 40 vote, and on April 1 it narrowly passed the Senate Committee on Labor and Commerce, with a 5 to 4 vote. The proposal would allow marijuana workers involved in growing, harvesting, drying and trimming cannabis to unionize and negotiate with their employers over wages, benefits, and working conditions.
The legislation sets forth a process for the formation of labor unions, the resolution of labor disputes, and the protection of employee rights. It applies only to workers on licensed marijuana farms and explicitly excludes managers and supervisors who hold decision-making authority.
If enacted, HB 1141 would mark a major shift in labor protections for Washington’s marijuana industry, aligning it more closely with standards in place for other agricultural sectors. The bill’s lead sponsor has called this measure a stepping stone to establishing collective bargaining rights throughout the legal cannabis industry.
If the proposal is passed by the Senate Ways and Means Committee, it can be considered by the full Senate.
