Here at Couch Lock’d, we believe that ethical consumption in the cannabis space matters. It’s not just about the quality of the flower or the potency of the concentrate; it’s about the people and patients who make this industry possible. That’s why we’re once again shining a spotlight on Green Thumb Industries (GTI), and this is one of the many reasons we boycott GTI and their brands.
According to a press release published on the official Teamsters website, workers from Teamsters Local 776 at a RISE Dispensary in York, Pennsylvania, are currently on an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike against their employer, a subsidiary of the multi-state cannabis giant GTI. The union states that the strike was called after workers unanimously rejected the company’s “last, best, and final offer,” citing GTI’s refusal to bargain in good faith for a fair contract.
The Heart of the Dispute: Dignity and Fair Wages
The core demands from the workers are simple and just: fair wages, dignity, and respect on the job. According to the Teamsters’ press release, employees at the York, Pa., location are demanding pay that is on par with what GTI pays workers at its other RISE dispensary locations. This demand for equity comes as GTI continues to post staggering profits, generating over a billion dollars in revenue last year.
Jesse Case, Director of the Teamsters Food Processing Division, put the company’s hypocrisy in stark relief:
“Our members are sending a clear message: this strike will not end until GTI bargains in good faith and delivers the contract these workers deserve. RISE workers see firsthand the billions in revenue this company makes, yet they’re expected to settle for less than their peers at other locations. We’re not letting that happen.”
A Pattern of Disrespect: From Workers to Patients
This strike marks the second time in less than three years that Teamsters have been forced to strike against GTI. But their pattern of prioritizing profits over people doesn’t stop with their employees. It extends directly to cannabis patients.
In their home state of Illinois, GTI lobbyists were instrumental in blocking HB 2911, a progressive cannabis reform bill. One of the bill’s key provisions would have been a massive victory for patients: allowing them to purchase cannabis at any dispensary in the state and still receive their medical tax rate, which is significantly lower than the high recreational taxes.
Currently, Illinois has a limited number of licensed medical dispensaries. This means patients who don’t live near one are forced to either travel long distances or shop at a recreational-only dispensary and pay the full, burdensome adult-use tax rate on their medicine. According to a report in the South Side Weekly, GTI’s lobbyists specifically targeted and killed the medical patient access expansion in the bill. This action directly harms patients, forcing them to pay more for necessary medicine simply to protect the profits of companies like GTI that hold existing medical licenses.
This isn’t just business; it’s a conscious decision to make life harder for patients to maintain a competitive advantage.
John Stambaugh, a striking RISE employee, powerfully articulated the fight against this corporate mindset:
“This strike isn’t just about us, it’s about showing that even a handful of dedicated workers can push back against a giant corporation when they’re not being treated fairly. We’re fighting for a contract that reflects our value and ensures we aren’t just disposable parts of their billion-dollar machine.”
Why We Boycott GTI and Its Brands
When a company with over a billion dollars in revenue fights its workers over fair wages and simultaneously lobbies against patient rights, it reveals its true character. This is a choice to prioritize corporate greed over the well-being of its employees and the patients it claims to serve.
As consumers, every dollar we spend is a vote for the kind of industry we want to support. The ongoing strike and GTI’s history of anti-patient lobbying in Illinois are clear calls to action. We stand in solidarity with the members of Teamsters Local 776 and with the patients of Illinois.
Until GTI bargains in good faith and ceases its anti-patient practices, we encourage our readers to vote with their wallets. If you see the following GTI-owned brands at your local dispensary, we ask you to choose an alternative.
GTI Brands to Boycott:
- Rythm
- Dogwalkers
- &Shine
- Incredibles
- Beboe
- Good Green
- RISE Dispensaries
Support the workers and patients, not the corporate machine.
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