Labor & Employment Law Daily Wrap Up, REPORTS—UCLA Labor Center issues report on California cannabis industry conditions, (May 29, 2025)

By Brandi O. Brown, J.D.

Nearly one-third of workers have experienced robberies or burglaries, 15 percent were subject to police raids, more than one-third experienced racial bias, 28 percent experienced homophobic and transphobic comments, and 27 percent of women reported sexual harassment.

This week, the UCLA Labor Center, along with the Cannabis Worker Collab, issued its first comprehensive report on California’s cannabis workforce, entitled “High Stakes: The State of the California Cannabis Workforce.” The report is based on more than 1,111 surveys, 50-plus interviews, and seven interactive data sessions. According to the Center, the report “offers an unprecedented look at one of California’s most dynamic and diverse emerging industries and reveals alarming workplace conditions, pervasive wage theft, and the urgent need for stronger labor protections.”

Drug war legacy, bias and inequality. Among the findings reported are those relating to how the legacy of the drug war and how the legalized industry is structured. For example, the report indicates that nearly one-third of workers have experienced robberies or burglaries, and 15 percent of licensed workers have been subject violent police raids. Additionally, 27 percent of women reported sexual harassment, more than one-third of all workers experienced racial slurs or intimidation, and 28 percent have experienced homophobic or transphobic comments.

“I’ve had coworkers who’ve had guns pulled on them or been robbed,” said one delivery driver. “Because of how the system is set up under legalization, we often carry thousands of dollars in cannabis products and cash, and we’re constantly rushing to and from depots to meet order demands.”

Hazardous conditions. Moreover, workers report hazardous conditions and injuries, with 85 percent of respondents indicating the need for stronger health and safety protections. Nearly half of cultivation workers report experiencing back and neck pain and nearly a third reported skin and eye issues.

Wage and hour issues. While wages are generally higher than those experienced in general retail and delivery work, the wages still do not keep up with the cost of living, with many employees reporting having trouble paying for food or groceries. More than 62 percent of workers experience some form of wage theft, including late pay and being asked to perform unpaid work.

Unions and recommendations. However, there are positives in the findings, including that unionization helps. For example, 69 percent of union workers reported receiving raises, compared to 50 percent of non-union workers and 65 percent of union workers had employer-provided health insurance, compared to only 41 percent of non-union workers.

The report also makes recommendations, including ways to support higher wages, mandated certified training, and strengthened union partnerships.

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