Cannabis Teamsters in Chicago Ratify Contract

Dispensary 33 Workers Secure Higher Wages, Better Health Care, and Job Protections

Mar. 16, 2026 at 6:04pm

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After five months of negotiations, cannabis workers at Dispensary 33 in Chicago have unanimously ratified their first five-year contract with Teamsters Local 777. The contract secures higher wages, improved health care benefits, and strong job protections against unjust discipline or termination for the workers.

Why it matters

This agreement helps bring more stability and better working conditions to the cannabis industry, which has seen a rise in worker organizing across the country as employees seek to turn cannabis jobs into stable careers with fair pay and benefits.

The details

Teamsters Local 777 President Jim Glimco said the contract "recognizes the vital roles these workers play in the success of this business, and it ensures they are treated with the respect they deserve." Teamsters at Dispensary 33 secured this agreement less than a year after budtenders overwhelmingly voted to join the union. Over the past four years, Local 777 has secured collective bargaining agreements for hundreds of workers in the Illinois cannabis industry.

  • The contract was ratified on March 16, 2026.
  • Dispensary 33 workers voted to join Teamsters Local 777 less than a year ago.

The players

Teamsters Local 777

A labor union representing workers in a wide variety of industries throughout the Chicago area, founded in 1937.

Dispensary 33

A cannabis dispensary in Chicago where workers have now ratified a five-year contract with Teamsters Local 777.

Jim Glimco

The President of Teamsters Local 777.

Jesse Case

The Director of the Teamsters Food Processing Division.

Lyzette Soto

A Local 777 member and award-winning budtender at Dispensary 33.

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What they’re saying

“This contract recognizes the vital roles these workers play in the success of this business, and it ensures they are treated with the respect they deserve.”

— Jim Glimco, President of Teamsters Local 777 (PRNewswire)

“Cannabis workers across the country are organizing to win better wages, stronger benefits, and real career opportunities. Our members at Dispensary 33 are proving what's possible when workers stand together and demand a fair contract. Agreements like this help turn cannabis jobs into stable careers.”

— Jesse Case, Director of the Teamsters Food Processing Division (PRNewswire)

“This was honestly one of the hardest and most fulfilling experiences I've ever gone through. We are passionate and proud of the community we've created to guarantee better conditions in our workplace!”

— Lyzette Soto, Local 777 member and award-winning budtender (PRNewswire)

What’s next

The new contract will go into effect immediately and remain in place for the next five years.

The takeaway

This agreement in Chicago's cannabis industry demonstrates the power of worker organizing to secure better pay, benefits, and working conditions. As the cannabis sector continues to grow, more workers are likely to follow Dispensary 33's lead in forming unions to transform cannabis jobs into stable, family-supporting careers.