California Cannabis Company Overhauls Labor Practices After Immigration Raid
A major cannabis company in California revealed on Monday that it will significantly change its labor practices in response to a severe immigration raid at two of its facilities last month. This incident resulted in the death of one worker and the detention of over 360 individuals, including 14 minors, as reported by government officials.
Glass House Brands stated it has ended its relationship with two farm labor contractors that supplied workers for its cannabis greenhouses in Camarillo and Carpinteria. The company also announced changes to its labor practices that go beyond what the law requires.
Among these changes are the hiring of professionals to verify workers’ documents and bringing in a consulting firm, Guidepost Solutions, to provide advice on best practices for confirming employment eligibility. Julie Myers Wood, who previously directed ICE under President George W. Bush, leads the company.
Additionally, Glass House has entered a new “labor peace” agreement with the International Teamsters union. While company officials have chosen not to comment further beyond their press release, a source close to the company expressed a strong desire to prevent a repeat of the events from July 10th, saying, “This cannot happen again.”
On that day, federal agents, clad in masks and riot gear, conducted a raid on Glass House’s operations in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, which is noted as one of the largest immigration enforcement operations in recent years. Agents reportedly pursued terrified workers through the expansive greenhouses, deploying tear gas and less-lethal projectiles against both protesters and employees.
Sadly, Jaime Alanis Garcia, a worker, fell from a greenhouse roof onto a three-story building while trying to escape capture. Others suffered injuries from broken glass or hid for hours under leaves or plastic coverings. In total, more than 360 individuals—comprising workers, family members, protesters, and bystanders—were detained, among them at least two American citizens, one of whom is a military veteran.
Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem stated that Glass House was specifically targeted in this operation, highlighting concerns about the potential trafficking of children in the area. However, as of now, neither Homeland Security nor the US Department of Justice has announced any legal actions regarding the alleged exploitation of minors.
In the wake of the raid, Glass House asserted that only nine of its actual employees were detained, insisting that the majority of those apprehended were labor contractor employees or had no affiliation with the company. Regarding the reports of minors working in cannabis, the company claimed that, while the identities of these minors have not been disclosed, they determined that none were employed by Glass House if such reports were accurate. It’s important to note that California labor law allows 12-year-olds to work in farming, but only individuals aged 21 and over can work in cannabis.
The aftermath of the raid left many workers anxious, with some fearing returning to work. The emotional toll was so significant that officials even arranged for counseling services. The incident has also sent ripples through the broader legal cannabis landscape. Glass House, often referred to as the “Walmart of Weeds,” has attracted significant investment, but the raid raised fears within the California cannabis community about the implications for the ongoing debate over federal legalization.
In light of the raid, organizations like United Farm Workers have cautioned immigrant laborers about the risks of working in cannabis, given its federal illegality.
According to Glass House, federal authorities were reportedly seeking “evidence of possible immigration violations” during the time of the raid. Sources close to the company indicated that officials have not had any further dealings with federal authorities since the incident.
Some advocates for farm workers expressed skepticism regarding the company’s announcements about improved labor practices. Lucas Zucker, co-executive director of Central Coast Alliance United, criticized Glass House for attempting to sidestep accountability by using farm labor contractors. He stated, “This presents a double standard in the legal system that allows businesses to benefit from the migrant workers they rely on, but when it’s inconvenient, they wipe their hands clean.” Zucker acknowledged that many laborers are still facing challenges trying to navigate the issues with labor contractors and have not received payment for work performed at Glass House.
A source familiar with the situation mentioned that company officials are committed to ensuring that everyone who worked during the raid gets paid. They had allowed all staff to be compensated until 11:30 PM that night, as many workers were unable to leave their shifts due to the blockade at the exit. It was also noted that the labor contractors were paid and should have distributed wages to the workers.
“We don’t want anyone to be shortchanged,” the source emphasized.
