Medical marijuana growers join Teamsters union

[kpete]

Source: Sacramento Bee

Medical marijuana growers join Teamsters union
By MARCUS WOHLSEN
Associated Press Writer
Published: Monday, Sep. 20, 2010 - 1:11 am
Last Modified: Monday, Sep. 20, 2010 - 9:35 am

OAKLAND, Calif. -- As organized labor faces declining membership, one of the country's most storied unions is looking to a new growth industry: marijuana.

The Teamsters added nearly 40 new members earlier this month by organizing the country's first group of unionized marijuana growers. Such an arrangement is likely only possible in California, which has the nation's loosest medical marijuana laws.

But it's still unclear how the Teamsters will safeguard the rights of members who do work that's considered a federal crime.

"I didn't have this planned out when I became a Teamster 34 years ago, to organize marijuana workers," said Lou Marchetti, who acted as a liaison between the growers and Oakland-based Teamsters Local 70. "This is a whole new ballgame."




Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/09/20/3042051/medical-marijuana-growers-join.html#ixzz1060q8GBr

[damntexdem]

1. They must have been confused: the Teamsters Union is for truckers, not tokers.

;-)

[indimuse]

2. KNR! n/t

[CountAllVotes]

3. K&R!!!!!

For my late grandfather who was one of the first teamsters in America and also a member of Teamsters Local #70 in Oakland! :D :D :D :D :D

I'm sure it is a "whole new ballgame" given what I know. ;)


:kick:

[Kolesar]

4. It seems like the growers are going to have to "buy protection"

You have a nice farm here, hate to see anything happen to it"

[quakerboy]

7. What exactly do you mean? nt

[boppers]

10. Some history:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teamsters#The_influence_of_organized_crime

They've had some problems.

[quakerboy]

12. Everything I just saw there

was from the 50's and before. Shall we also say that African Americans better watch out now that they are by and large Democrats, since the Democratic party has a history of racism from around that same time?

What a bunch of crap. Slurs on unions based on events that were exposed and dealt with decades ago. Them farmers better watch out, the big scary unions are a'comin. Maybe Hoffa found a time machine and transported himself 35 years into the future to take care of business, now that the unions are ascendant and there is no way to stop him from battering them poor farmers.

[boppers]

13. Time machine indeed.

James Hoffa is the current president.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_P._Hoffa

[quakerboy]

15. So... he is his father?

I missed the part in your Wikipedia run about him abusing farmers. Can you point it out for me?

Or did you just want to insinuate slander against unions with no real evidence?

[boppers]

16. It's irony. A form of humor.

Are you denying The Teamster's legacy?

[Kolesar]

21. The mafia controlled the marijuana and hard drugs racket in my home town

In the 1970s. The police were "on the take" and they would arrest those who were not mafia-backed. As long as marijuana is "illegal", the gangsters are going to take over the Teamsters and skim profits and product.

[musiclawyer]

5. Logical cooperation here

In ten years big tobacco will have bought out the large growers. The workers know that. They are simply getting prepared. The union, well, they go where the members are. I doubt the unions will have much success organizing the small, niche and organic growers who survive.

[Gman]

6. Solidarity Forever

for the Union makes us strong!

[rug]

8. Keep on truckin' . . . .

[Odin2005]

9. K&R for Labor!

[slackmaster]

11. Long, long ago Saturday Night Live did a "Look for the union label" sketch about this

Starring Gilda Radner IIRC.

Kudos to anyone who can find a video link for that.

[boppers]

17. Ask and ye shall receive.

The American Dope Growers Union
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdlIPAB1blA

[slackmaster]

20. Bwaaaaaaaa-hahaha!

Thanks!

[Tabasco_Dave]

19. I thought of the same sketch.

Life really does imitate art. :rofl:

[Umbral]

14. Maybe if enough join, the Teamsters will quit endorsing Republicans. nt

[Kolesar]

22. I recall when Ron Carey got deposed

He was too friendly with President Clinton.

Jimmy Hoffa, RIP, was a republican

[Vidar]

18. Applauding both the growers & the Teamsters. Of course this

could lead to speculation the Jimmy Hoffa Sr. is buried on some pot plantation.

[Buddyblazon]

23. Awesome...

and I would argue that Colorado has the loosest MMJ laws.