FYI.

This story is over 5 years old.

Vice Blog

WEED DEALINGS - DIET FREEDOM


There was a time when the power of the citizen was acknowledged and capitalized upon. Unfortunately, things change, and today that power is often ignored. Most citizens realize they are exploited by large corporations, but don’t realize they have the power to change that. In most cases, that power is recognized in two forms: the power we have as a work force, and the power we have as consumers. When we work for corporations, we enable their existence. When we spend our money on corporate products, we encourage their growth. Typically, the citizen’s strength comes in protest.

Advertisement

This dynamic plays out differently when it comes to cannabis, mainly because the industry and movement are outside reigning institution. In a way, the cannabis industry is frozen in a time before the electronic age and before our nation was blanketed by a multifarious corporate pastiche that tends to every need. If citizens have no way to enter the marketplace—because corporations control the lion’s share of every market—they lack the means to live effective lives. When the only option for change is to force an old regime to modify itself against its will, all we have is simulated freedom: Diet Freedom. In the cannabis industry, there’s an opportunity for citizens to affect change on their own terms. It’s not about demanding change from the existing institution; it’s about creating viable alternatives. This country has its fair share of patriotic dissenters and sensible revisionists, but those involved in cannabis differ, because cannabis is monetized.

In Northern California citizens are making decisions and beginning to stake their claims in what could become the most profitable industry in our nation's history. Take Dan Rush, Director of State Operations for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 5 chapter. The UFCW Local 5 has been working in the cannabis industry to ensure favorable conditions for workers. All chapters of the UFCW are working for fair treatment of their members (and laborers in general), but every chapter except Rush’s is working to revise an existing system. Dan Rush, on the other hand, is setting the standards and initiating an alternative system. Dan is working to create the terms of a new industry and ensure that workers’ rights are top priority. He wants UCFW to have a presence at the very start of this new industry. Instead of working against an incumbent institution, the UCFW will become the incumbent institution. The tables are turning.

Advertisement

In addition to ensuring fair treatment for workers, Rush also works to ensure that there will be jobs tomorrow. Dan weighs in on issues that affect the growth of industry. For example, California State Senate Bill 676, which will legalize and regulate industrial hemp, is a matter of high priority. If it passes, it is projected to create 5,000 sustainable jobs in its first year. That would be a major win for the UFCW, so Dan spends a good deal of time working with state legislators in Sacramento, as well as Washington.

As I’ve discussed before, the cannabis movement has been held back by its stoner/anti-establishment self-styling. Folks like Rush are showing that this industry represents a whole lot of people who don’t identify as stoners. The UFCW’s aim is to create jobs and tax revenue, not to end tyranny. It’s not stoner activism, so it’s not seeing stoner activist results. It’s a movement that appeals to one of the most basic of American ideals: hard work. It’s only a matter of time before it all adds up.

If you’re in California, I encourage you to contact your local representative from the State Senate and let them know you support SB 676. If you’re not in California, contact Senate President Steinberg and let him know that you’re concerned about the outcome. This is your chance to really have a say in an issue that affects you.

ZACH G. MOLDOF

Previously on Weed Dealings, Meet David Goldman