In a landmark achievement for Utah’s medical cannabis industry, staff at WholesomeCo, a dispensary located in West Bountiful, have officially ratified the state’s first union contract within the cannabis sector. Finalized in early March 2025, this agreement signifies a major advancement in labor protections and workplace standards for cannabis employees in Utah.
The unionization effort began in November 2023 when WholesomeCo workers voted decisively—21 in favor, with only one opposed—to join the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 99. This action followed a similar move by employees at Dragonfly Wellness in Salt Lake City, who became the first cannabis workers in the state to unionize just weeks earlier. Together, these developments point to a growing push among cannabis employees to secure better workplace conditions and representation.
The three-year agreement includes a number of key benefits designed to improve employees’ quality of life. Workers will receive scheduled wage increases, helping ensure steady financial progress over time. The contract also provides full medical, dental, and vision coverage, emphasizing the company’s commitment to employee health.
Additional highlights of the agreement include paid bereavement and parental leave, as well as paid time off for holidays and vacations. Employees will also be compensated for meal breaks, and a ratification bonus was issued to recognize the team’s role in achieving the agreement. These improvements extend to various positions at WholesomeCo, such as delivery and pharmacy fulfillment agents, inventory compliance staff, and retail display team members.
Shaylee Robinson, a delivery fulfillment agent at the dispensary, described the achievement as a hard-fought but worthwhile victory. “Forming a union wasn’t easy,” she said, “but being able to have strong workplace protections has made everything worth it.”
UFCW Local 99 President Jim McLaughlin praised the contract as a turning point, stating, “With the ratification of this historic contract, WholesomeCo will continue to be a great place to work while helping raise the standard of living for employees industry-wide.”
The contract’s approval is likely to influence labor relations across Utah’s growing medical cannabis industry. Observers anticipate that more dispensaries may follow WholesomeCo’s lead, fostering wider adoption of union practices and improved labor standards. This could pave the way for more consistent working conditions and benefits for cannabis workers throughout the state.
Beyond the immediate workplace, the success at WholesomeCo may also encourage state lawmakers to revisit labor regulations for the cannabis sector, which remains relatively new and fast-evolving. Conversations around tailored protections and policy changes could arise as more businesses and workers become engaged in unionization.
WholesomeCo’s contract ratification represents more than just a win for one dispensary—it signals a larger movement taking shape within Utah’s cannabis workforce. As momentum continues, this development could shape not only the state’s cannabis labor standards but also contribute to the national conversation around workers’ rights in emerging industries.