Minnesota’s New Medical Marijuana Industry Now Has A Union

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota's new medical marijuana industry now has a union.

The United Food and Commercial Workers says it has organized one of the state's two medical cannabis production facilities.

The union represents a handful of employees at Minnesota Medical Solutions, in Otsego, the first facility expected to be up and running.

Bernie Hesse, an organizer with UFCW Local 1189, says his union is also talking to LeafLine about organizing staff at its facility in Cottage Grove.

The contract at Minnesota Medical Solutions calls for the head cultivator to earn $2,200 a week. Pharmacy, horticultural and laboratory technicians will make $22 an hour. Custodians will make $18 an hour.

July 1st is the first day medical cannabis can be dispensed in Minnesota.