June 9, 2015
By. Stephanie West
Long Island, NY – Empire State Compassionate Care, owned and operated by the principals of the largest medical marijuana distributor in New Jersey, has announced it has reached an agreement with Local 338, RWDSU/UFCW. Local 338 will represent medical marijuana workers in New York once the State’s program becomes operational later this year.
The agreement covers pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, growers and trimmers and others on both the manufacturing and retail sides of the business. The New York State Department of Health (DOH) has identified a strong labor agreement as a key component of the State’s application process.
“By signing a Labor Peace Agreement, Empire State Compassionate Care has shown that they are dedicated to developing this industry in a way that provides good middle-class jobs with living wages and proper benefits for a well-trained and qualified workforce,” said John R. Durso, President of Local 338, RWDSU/UFCW. “If licensed, we look forward to working with Empire State Compassionate Care to bring relief to long-suffering patients.”
Empire State Compassionate Care (ESCC) is owned and operated by the same team as Garden State Dispensary (GSD), a nonprofit that produces and dispenses nearly 70% of the medical marijuana in New Jersey’s pharmaceutical-grade medical model, and is among the leading producers in Colorado. In the six years the company has been in business, it has helped more than 25,000 patients. Two of the principals of ESCC, David and Michael Weisser, contribute much of their profits to cancer-related charities, including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The company’s medical operations are being led by Dr. Jordan Josephson, an internationally renowned, Johns Hopkins fellowship-trained and Board certified surgeon, clinical researcher, and medical educator.
“Not only do we hope to bring relief to patients suffering from debilitating diseases but we also look forward to bringing hundreds of career-oriented, union jobs to struggling regions around New York so we’re thrilled to partner with Local 338,” said David Weisser, President of Empire State Compassionate Care. “Both RWDSU and UFCW already represent thousands of cannabis industry workers around the country.”
