Connecticut House Passes Cannabis Labor Protections Bill in 131 to 12 Vote

House Bill 6842, which mandates labor peace agreements for cannabis establishments and prohibits the inclusion of tips in minimum wage calculations for cannabis workers, passed by a vote of 131 to 12. The measure now moves to the Senate for consideration.

The legislation requires all cannabis licensees—including dispensaries, producers, and cultivators—to enter into labor peace agreements with certified unions as a condition for final licensure or expansion. These agreements prevent strikes, picketing, and lockouts, while guaranteeing access for unions to organize workers. The bill also closes a loophole that allowed some cannabis employers to count gratuities toward meeting minimum wage requirements. Under HB 6842, cannabis establishments must pay the full minimum fair wage directly, regardless of any tips received by employees.

Violations of labor agreements will be subject to binding arbitration, and the Department of Consumer Protection will have the authority to suspend licenses for non-compliance, bypassing the usual administrative process.

Labor advocates and union representatives hailed the bill as a landmark step toward ensuring equitable treatment in the state’s cannabis market, which officially launched recreational sales in January 2023.

If approved by the Senate and signed into law, the bill would take effect October 1, 2025.