Stressing jobs, Ohio union groups come out in support of marijuana legalization effort

This new local article, headlined “Union groups say OK to marijuana legalization,” reinforces my belief that the job-creation potential of a legalized marijuana industry ma be quite appealing to certain groups. Here are excerpts from the piece:

The three largest Ohio branches of the union representing nearly 70,000 retail workers, endorsed Wednesday the ResponsibleOhio initiative to legalize marijuana. “The executive board of these locals, which are made up of rank-and-file members, made a decision to support this proposal because we want to make sure that we have good jobs in the new legal marijuana industry,” said Laurie Couch, a spokeswoman for United Food and Commercial Workers.

The majority of the local members work in retail stores, Couch said, including Kroger, Meijer and CVS, as well as in food packing and processing. Locals 75, 880 and 1059 issued the endorsement. Local 75 represents 30,000 members in the Greater Cincinnati, Dayton and Toledo areas. Local 880 represents 21,000 in and around Cleveland, and Local 1059 has 18,500 members in Columbus.

Couch said that while it’s too early to push the proposed industry on wages, “We’re committed to working to make sure they do pay a living wage, good benefits, and that people have the hours that they need.” The other important factor for the UFCW, Couch said, is that “The communities where our members live and work really need better public services.”

The endorsement follows Monday’s nod from Dr. O’Dell Owens, the president of Cincinnati State Technical and Community College.