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CALL TO ACTION: TONIGHT the Riverside City Council will be discussing serious changes to a previously-approved cannabis retail permitting process – changes that would endanger countless good-paying and benefitted union jobs organized by UFCW 1167. 

In 2023, the Riverside City Council adopted a comprehensive and thoughtful cannabis permitting program that would prioritize union-friendly operators, with strong local hiring, living wage and collective bargaining commitments. Today, after 14 operators have been selected based off a deliberative merit-based process, The Riverside City Council is discussing changing the rules mid-game for these operators, putting the entire process in jeopardy. The Council MUST stand by its approved process and not delay and betray working-class families that would miss out on the opportunity of good-paying union jobs.

HOW YOU CAN HELP/VOICE YOUR SUPPORT: 

1. Email the Riverside City Council and demand they don’t delay and betray working class families – ielabor.org/cannabisretail

2. Voice your comment in person at Riverside City Council Chambers TODAY January 7^th at 6:15pm – 3900 Main St, Riverside CA 92522

3. Participate virtually:
   1. VIA TELEPHONE: Call (951) 826-8686 and follow the prompts to access your desired language. Press *9 to be placed in the queue to speak. Individuals in the queue will be prompted to unmute by pressing *6 to speak. 
   2. VIA ZOOM: Use the following link: https://zoom.us/j/92696991265 Select the “raise hand” function to request to speak. An on screen message will prompt you to “unmute” and speak.
4. Download and share!

For more information contact our Policy Director, Caleb Ragan at (951)312-9571 or over email cragan@ielabor.org.

UPDATE:

The City Council voted 4-3 to delay the cannabis permitting process for 90 days and to re-open the ordinance to discuss potential changes to density requirements, distances from sensitive receptors, and the amount of dispensaries allowed per ward.

This was a a disappointing outcome that makes the future of cannabis in Riverside, and the associated local union jobs, unclear.

We are thankful to Councilmember Philip Falcone, Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes and Councilmember Steve Hemenway for standing with labor and voting against this motion. Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter.

You can watch all public comments given and the city’s next steps below

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