Cannabis Workers Strike in Ann Arbor, Pushing for Union—and Sending Industry Ripples

At the Ann Arbor Exclusive Brands dispensary, five employees launched a strike Friday as they push to unionize under the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 876. Their protest comes after one of their coworkers—known to support unionization efforts—was fired, and the company allegedly attempted to block a union election.

Striker and budtender Emily Hull put it plainly: “This industry is about healing and caring about people and lifting each other up,” she said. “This company is actively doing the opposite to its own workers.”

The strike has gained momentum: UFCW members and community allies have joined the picket line, swelling the presence outside the dispensary to nearly 20 people. Despite the tension, interactions with police have remained peaceful—though officers were called in a few times to mediate.

Union drives in cannabis have slowed this year amid financial pressures facing the industry, including contractions and tightened margins. But labor experts say Michigan may buck that trend. As the market matures and faces consolidation, workers face dwindling protections—and many are seeking the stability of a union contract.

To date, UFCW represents nearly 300 dispensaries and 36 growers across the U.S., and the Ann Arbor strike could be a bellwether for renewed labor activism in cannabis.

If successful, the strike could pave the way for stronger labor rights across the cannabis sector—improving wages, safety protocols, and job security in a notoriously fickle industry. However, unionization also raises industry questions: Will higher labor costs force price increases—or push more businesses underground? Will this accelerate consolidation, favoring large chains over grassroots operators?

Engagement Prompt:

In an industry founded on community and care, should workers’ rights be just as valued? Should cannabis employees unionize to secure better treatment, or might that risk making legal cannabis less accessible or affordable? Let me know what you think below!