May 28, 2025

As part of my work as a surveyor researcher and principal author on the first ever comprehensive labor study on cannabis workers in California, High Stakes, I had the honor of creating zine highlights of the reports top 5 findings. On one side of the 8-panel zine we showcased some of the more important statistics related to our key findings and on the opposite side was name credits of Contributors to the report as a whole: Principal Authors, Surveyor-Researchers, Connection Session Collaborators, Community Partners, and the amazing UCLA Graduate and Undergraduate Students.

ZINE #1: With widely varying implementation of safety practices, cannabis workers are facing hazardous safety conditions.

ZINE #2: Cannabis workplaces are still shaped by the drug war (including being required to carry cash) and also by gender and racial inequality – leaving workers vulnerable to violence and mental health stress.

ZINE #3: Cannabis wages average above retail and delivery, but still aren’t enough to make ends meet in the state.

ZINE #4: Cannabis workers are overwhelmingly young, diverse, and attracted to a range of opportunities in the field.

ZINE #5: Cannabis workers have unionized at high rates – and it’s paid off in terms of raises, health benefits and a voice on the job.

Access Mentioned Community Resources: HERE

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HIGH STAKES: THE STATE OF THE CALIFORNIA CANNABIS WORKFORCE

READ AUTHOR EDITION HERE

High Stakes (Author Edition)

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