[PRESS RELEASE] – SPRINGFIELD, Mo., July 30, 2026 – The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 2 announced the ratification of a first collective bargaining agreement at Key Cannabis Dispensary in Springfield, Mo., which will bring significant wage increases, bonuses and additional time off to workers.
Sally Powell, a retail associate at Key Cannabis Dispensary, said, “We have been fighting for our first contract for a long time. This contract secures wage increases and bonuses that we all deserve. It also prints additional protections we didn't have before, like stability in scheduling and very strong nondiscrimination guarantees.
“I’m so proud of our resilience, and I hope our win shows cannabis workers across Missouri that when we stand together, there’s nothing we can’t do. With our union, we have the comfort and security of not being at-will employees, and with this contract, we’ve made our voices heard and negotiated the benefits we need to thrive on the job.”
Chad Price, UFCW Local 2 director of collective bargaining and retail servicing, said, “On behalf of our local union president, Martin Rosas, myself, Local 2 staff and all 16,000 proud UFCW Local 2 members, we commend Key Cannabis Dispensary workers for all of their hard work, dedication and commitment through their solidarity by first unionizing, and now obtaining a first contract. We want to welcome them to our union family. Together, we will continue building contracts that improve lives and strengthen our workplaces for years to come.”
Background
- Workers at Key Cannabis Dispensary voted to unionize three years ago. Since then, they have been negotiating a first contract with the company, which was bought by Elevate Cannabis two years ago.
- The newly ratified contract secures wage increases and bonuses for Key Cannabis Dispensary workers, with an additional wage increase upon the first anniversary of the contract. It also includes new bonus and incentive programs for workers, along with additional paid time off, sick time off and paid bereavement leave.
- The contract, which had overwhelming worker support, also guarantees stronger nondiscrimination, anti-harassment and inclusion protections, more stable scheduling, and clearer disciplinary guidelines.
- As America’s cannabis union, the UFCW is committed to ensuring cannabis jobs are safe, well-paid and family-sustaining, which this contract helps enshrine for Key Cannabis Dispensary workers in Missouri.
