High anxiety at weed shops: survey reveals safety concerns on the job

A Winnipeg cannabis shop supervisor says there was a gunpoint robbery in her shop earlier this year — one example of the growing threats of violence that have a Manitoba union urging the province to tighten industry legislation.

Hannah McClements, who wasn’t in the store at the time of the robbery, said Wednesday that the holdup not only affected staff working at her store, but also a customer who was also held at gunpoint.

“It was around 11 p.m., and two men came into the store, held three of my workers at gunpoint and wanted money and cannabis,” McClements said.

“We feel a secured entrance similar to liquor stores would help a lot because then we have control over who comes in and can fully see their face to their driver’s licence. That would be one of the biggest stepping points, and one of the most helpful measures to take for our safety.”

McClements’s experience reflects findings from a new survey conducted by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 832, part of its summertime Let’s Be Blunt campaign, which shows only eight per cent of cannabis store employees feel safe at all times on the job. Nearly half — 48 per cent — said they feel safe only sometimes, 27 per cent reported feeling safe most of the time, 11 per cent said they rarely do and six per cent said they never feel safe.

McClements said she often feels unsafe due to having no control over who enters the store.

“Just a couple of months ago, there was an incident involving a customer who pulled out a knife from his backpack to put on his person,” she said. “And don’t get me wrong, he didn’t threaten anyone with it, but he was brandishing a weapon in the store.”

The survey, which gathered responses from nearly 100 employees across more than 180 cannabis shops in Manitoba, revealed numerous accounts of assaults, robberies and attempted thefts — often occurring while staff were working alone. In several cases, the union said, workers suffered serious injuries.

Marie Buchan, UFCW Local 832’s secretary-treasurer, said what surprised her most during the campaign was the number of stories she heard of assaults, robberies, attempted thefts and serious injuries.

“And what surprised us was the followup support, which made us recognize there were things that needed to be done, and we needed to push for safety in the industry,” she said.

UFCW Local 832 represents about 100 cannabis store workers, and the survey included both unionized and non-unionized employees.

“We want to make sure all workers, unionized or not, have these safety measures in place,” Buchan said.

In response to the findings, the union has sent the province both its survey results and a list of proposed legislative changes. It wants to prohibit employers from having staff work alone, require controlled entry points similar to Liquor Marts, remove mandated window coverings that hide products but also block potential witnesses, set mandatory closing times and ensure stores are equipped with adequate security systems, including silent alarms or panic buttons.

A worker at a downtown dispensary, who asked not to be identified, said having controlled access — even something as simple as a door buzzer to gain entry — is her “dream” for improving safety.

“I would love that,” she said. “I’ve had someone take cannabis out of my hand and run out. It would be nice if I had somebody else working with me, but it’s not under my control. We all work alone.

“You just never know who is going to walk in. There are a lot of drug addicts and alcoholics downtown. It’s not often, but it happens, and you can’t predict the future.”

She fears her boss would be against banning lone-employee shifts.

Puneet Garg, who operates Puff Paradise on Ellice Avenue and Henderson Highway, said hiring additional staff isn’t always financially feasible.

“To have two employees where you have more stores around here, you barely make a profit,” Garg said. “That could make a big hole in your pocket. It’s not sustainable.”

Garg said his cousin had a knife held to her throat during one robbery at the Ellice location, which has also seen several break-ins.

He supports controlled access but believes many shops would need government rebates to afford it.

“They would bring employees and the store owners more peace,” he said.

At Smokey Trails at 1342 Main St., an employee said their shop already uses a buzzer-entry system and has had no safety concerns, crediting a strong and loyal customer base.

Justice Minister Matt Wiebe said in a statement Wednesday that he’s reviewing the proposal.

“No one should fear for their safety when going to work,” Wiebe said in an emailed statement. “Both myself and the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority have been in communication with members of UFCW Local 832 as recently as last week to hear their concerns, and I’ve spoken to the owners of their workplace. I’ve directed my office to review the proposal from the union, and I will continue working with all stakeholders on the issue.”

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca