Workers at the cannabis company Green Dragon are trying to form one of the first growhouse unions in Colorado. But days after going public, Green Dragon fired every worker, rehired them as contractors and cut their benefits in an effort to kill the union drive.

In 2021, Colorado expanded their state labor laws through the Agricultural Workers’ Rights bill to allow agricultural workers in Colorado to form a union. Shortly after, workers filed as agricultural workers and filed for a union election in July of that year. Workers are unionizing with United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 7.

Immediately Green Dragon, operated by Eaze, started union-busting. Workers say Green Dragon is firing and retaliating against them. Delays in the union election have only made things worse.

Originally scheduled for April 13, the election has been delayed until May 25th. But workers say protections can’t wait. Workers say a combination of mold, disintegrated plant particles, kief, and pesticides results in unbearable coughing. They refer to it as green lung or kief cough.

“Last time we talked to you about your interaction with the union. Based on that, we’ve made the decision to part ways,” management told one Green Dragon worker.

The NLRB maintains it is illegal to fire workers for distributing union literature, wearing pro-union pins, or otherwise engaging in union activity.