Sexism & Discrimination in the Cannabis Industry Exposed | NowThis скачать в хорошем качестве

Sexism & Discrimination in the Cannabis Industry Exposed | NowThis

This writer and former laborer is exposing sexism and discrimination against women in the cannabis industry. » Subscribe to NowThis: http://go.nowth.is/News_Subscribe For decades, a workforce of seasonal weed trimmers, mostly women, have been cutting and shaping the cannabis bud you see at dispensaries. Each summer, thousands of seasonal workers flock to the 'Emerald Triangle' in Northern California, looking for quick cash in a region that exports millions of pounds of weed every year. But for female workers, this job can be dangerous, exploitative, and degrading. The cannabis trimming industry is a case study on how the history of cannabis labor has been both gendered and discriminatory. Kelly Schirmann: 'My name is Kelly Schirmann. I was born and raised in Humboldt County, California, which is one of the largest cannabis cultivation regions in the United States. I’m a writer, and have worked on all sides of the cannabis industry for the past decade, most frequently as a trimmer. Trimming is an often overlooked, or virtually unknown, part of growing and distributing cannabis. Butit’s essential to ensuring a grower’s product is marketable. In the final stage of cannabis cultivation, the trimmer cuts off extra leaves and plant material from a dried cannabis bud, shaping it into a sellable product. As a weed trimmer, I worked for up to 16 hours a day during the harvest season, which can run from July to December for a traditional outdoor grow. Because trimmers are generally paid by weight, working long hours might be grueling, but they mean higher payouts at the end of the season. The gender divide in cannabis work is stark: the majority of trimmers I met and worked with were women, and all of the growers I worked have been men. Some of this has to do with the nature of the work, but this dynamic is also influenced by cannabis culture itself, which has been historically male-dominated. Because of this divide, cannabis work can create dangerous spaces for female workers. As a trimmer, I have heard horror stories about toxic environments, terrible treatmentby growers or male workers—everything from sexual harassment and disparaging comments to sexual abuse, abduction, or worse. Because of the xculture of secrecy surrounding this industry, the majority of abuse usually goes unreported and unchecked. I once worked on a grow for several weeks without getting paid, which is not uncommon in the underground weed industry. I have also been paid less than what I was owed at the last minute, with no way of defending myself or holding my boss accountable. It’s often standard for a grower to hold off paying trimmers until they sell the weed, forcing trimmers to work for free and keep track of their numbers until the product sells. But if a grower can’t sell their weed, which is more and more common in a highly saturated market, then lots of workers end up never getting paid, or getting paid a fraction of what they earned. For cannabis farms that are operating illegally, there is virtually no job security or standard of treatment for the workers. Over the past few years, cannabis legalization has improved safety and workplace standards for trimmers. It’s important to remember, though, that while cannabis legalization has passed in California, not all grows there are choosing to operate legally. Of the estimated 10,000 grows in Humboldt County in 2017, only 2300 of them applied for a permit to grow and sell legally beginning in 2018. It’s also important to remember that legalization has decreased wages for growers and workers alike. Cannabis is a billion-dollar industry, and yet, the majority of those profits are now trending upward to mostly male business owners and investors. Meanwhile, the majority of labor jobs, even in the legal industry, tend toward a minimum wage model. This exacerbates the gender pay gap, even in a so-called “progressive” industry. ' #Cannabis #Weed #Sexism #Discrimination Connect with NowThis » Like us on Facebook: http://go.nowth.is/News_Facebook » Tweet us on Twitter: http://go.nowth.is/News_Twitter » Follow us on Instagram: http://go.nowth.is/News_Instagram » Find us on Snapchat Discover: http://go.nowth.is/News_Snapchat NowThis is your premier news outlet providing you with all the videos you need to stay up to date on all the latest in trending news. From entertainment to politics, to viral videos and breaking news stories, we’re delivering all you need to know straight to your social feeds. We live where you live.    / nowthisnews   @nowthisnews