Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Legislators congratulate Wyomissing dispensary on reaching labor agreement

Legislators congratulate Wyomissing dispensary on reaching labor agreement

Three-year agreement includes raises, health care coverage and more

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    March 19, 2026 | 4:37 PM

WYOMISSING, March 19 – State Reps. Emily Kinkead, Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, and Napoleon Nelson congratulated the workers of Teamsters Local 429 and their president, Bill Shappell, along with the leadership at Sunnyside Medical Cannabis Dispensary in Wyomissing, on reaching a labor agreement on Tuesday, March 17. The labor agreement comes as the future of cannabis access, employment, and entrepreneurship remains a legislative priority in Harrisburg.

Such agreements between labor and cannabis operators are a central component to legislation the legislators said they hope will finally legalize adult-use cannabis in PA, achieving Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget priority and bringing the Commonwealth in line with neighboring states. House Bill 20, offered by Kinkead, D-Allegheny, and Rep. Abby Major, R-Armstrong, presents a bipartisan path to legalizing adult-use cannabis in Pennsylvania and includes a requirement that dispensaries execute labor peace agreements in order to receive licenses. These contracts between the employer and a union require employers not to interfere with efforts of employees to organize in exchange for concessions like avoiding labor disruptions through strikes, picketing, or lockouts.

“Cannabis legalization in Pennsylvania is estimated to create around 30,000 family-sustaining jobs in our Commonwealth and ensuring that those workers have access to a union if they want one, free from any employer interference, only makes those jobs more appealing,” Kinkead said. “It’s clear that cannabis employees already want union representation, and H.B. 20 would set a gold standard for labor protections across the nation.”

“Pennsylvania is the only remaining state in the northeastern United States without legalized adult-use cannabis, which means that we are losing millions of dollars in revenue to our neighbors,” said Nelson, D-Montgomery. “But we can capitalize on our delay if we learn from the mistakes of others and invest not only in disproportionately impacted communities but also in the labor force that makes this industry successful.”

“The cannabis industry, even if only legal medically, is already giving a major economic boost to communities across Pennsylvania,” said Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks. “That includes right here in Wyomissing, where our local workers have finally reached an organizing agreement. Workers are the lifeblood of our state and drive our economic success, and I’m proud to support them in the push for both unionization and cannabis legalization.”

House Bill 20 currently awaits consideration in the House Health Committee.