FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 17, 2018

Contact: Chelsea Connor | cconnor@rwdsu.org | 347-866-6259

STATEMENT FROM RWDSU: NY CANNABIS LEGALIZATION PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY FOR WORKING PEOPLE

(NEW YORK, NY) – Today, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the planned legalization of cannabis in New York State. The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) currently represents workers in the medical marijuana industry. John Durso, President of Local 338 of the RWDSU and Stuart Appelbaum, President of the RWDSU issued the following joint statement:

“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 will take great steps towards undoing the harm that drug policies have caused to the very communities in which our members live and work. Additionally, as the representatives of the workforce of New York’s medical cannabis industry, we provide a unique perspective as to how to create a regulated system that addresses the individual concerns of workers, the community, and the industry as we regularly interact with all three of these crucial stakeholders. We are looking forward to working with Governor Cuomo and the State Legislature to ensure protections that guarantee the creation of jobs that provide good wages and benefits, crucial criminal justice reforms and equity standards for meaningful participation at every level of this new industry,” said John R. Durso, President of Local 338 of the RWDSU and Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU).