STATEMENT FROM THE RETAIL, WHOLESALE AND DEPARTMENT STORE UNION

Cannabis Legalization Provides Opportunity for Working People 

(NEW YORK, NY) – Today, Governor Andrew Cuomo re-affirmed his commitment to legalize adult-use cannabis in New York ahead of his State of the State address. The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) represents workers in the medical cannabis industry across New York State. Stuart Appelbaum, President of the RWDSU and John Durso, President of Local 338 RWDSU issued the following joint statement:

“Legalizing adult use-cannabis will create incredible opportunities for New York’s communities at every level of the industry, from ownership to management to the workforce. It’s been estimated that our State has the potential to see 30,000 new jobs just from this industry and as a result, we must ensure that these are quality, union careers and that neighborhoods that have long been struggling have access to these jobs. As a labor union, a key component of the work that we do in advocating for working men and women is related to fighting for economic and social justice. Legalizing cannabis is a natural bridge for this work, and we appreciate that it’s one of Governor Cuomo’s priorities this year. We’re looking forward to working with Governor Cuomo and the State Legislature to ensure that 2021 is the year New York legalizes adult-use cannabis,” said John R. Durso, President of Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW and Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU).

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The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) represents 100,000 members throughout the United States. The RWDSU is affiliated with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW). 
Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW proudly represents approximately 13,000 working men and women employed in a variety of different industries across New York State including, food retail, pharmaceutical retail, health care and human services, transportation, and medical cannabis. 
For more information, please visit our websites at www.rwdsu.org or www.local338.org 
Facebook:/RWDSU.UFCW or /Local338 Twitter:@RWDSU or @Local338