Committee delays vote on cannabis labor‑peace ordinance after amendments and industry comment

The committee called agenda item 1 on May 9: an ordinance amending the police code to require applicants for cannabis business permits to enter into a labor peace agreement or a collective bargaining agreement with a bona fide labor organization.

Supervisor Yee and colleagues proposed redline amendments clarifying that an applicant must agree, as a condition of a permit award, to enter into and abide by the terms of either a labor peace agreement or a collective bargaining agreement prior to issuance. The supervisors said a city‑attorney‑drafted change to the definition of "bona fide labor organization" (to mean a union that represents or is actively seeking to represent cannabis workers in the city) would be brought forward.

Clerk John Carroll and staff advised procedural sequencing: a motion to amend would be in order after public comment. Industry testimony included Johnny Delaplane of the Cannabis Retailers Alliance, who said the industry is working with labor and supervisors on compromises and supported continuing the item and shifting the requirement from application to permit issuance so applicants have more time to negotiate. Following public comment and the availability of a redline copy, Supervisor Yee moved to continue the item as amended to the Committee's May 16 meeting; the motion was stated and entered without objection.

Next steps: staff will circulate the redline amendment and the city attorney will finalize the proposed definition change; the committee will take up the item at its May 16 meeting.