The ‘Cannabis Workers Protection Bill’ Would Instruct Workers on Sexual Harassment and Worker Safety

Efforts are in motion to protect trimmers and processors in the cannabis industry. A California-based Cannabis Workers Protection Bill is currently making its way through the state assembly. Sponsored by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Western States Council, cannabis employees could soon have access to instruction about protection against sexual harassment and other hazardous conditions in the workplace.

The bill would require business owners to designate at least one employee per year to engage in a 30-hour training course provided by the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) which enforces Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. The online course covers workers’ rights and safety standards in the workplace, including potential instances of violence, sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and safety hazards.

The bill was introduced by Assemblyman Jim Cooper, D-Elk Grove, in response to an investigation conducted by The Center for Investigative Reporting. The investigation uncovered reports of sexual harassment incidents in the cannabis industry, especially migrant “trimmigrants,” who often work in unsafe conditions. At times, trimmigrants are expected to produce countless amounts of trimmed product resulting in scissor cuts, eye injuries and plant material residue in their skin and eyes. Currently, there are few standards or guidelines in place for these workers to follow in order to protect them while working.

The underground nature of some outdoor growing operations harbors an environment that is unfortunately tainted by mistreatment of employees. “Not much has changed. The standards are crappy. We need to have some basic OSHA (occupational safety and health) training, like in any business,” Michelle Hood, director of the Redwood Women’s Foundation told Reveal. “Having someone trained to train other people is quality control. You’ve got to have it.”  the Redwood Women’s Foundation hosts workshops that educate women about workplace safety.

The bill is a major step towards the general normalization of the cannabis industry. The bill, if enacted, would provide a much-needed safety net for female and migrant workers that help make cannabis available on the shelf every day.