Local 49 Steps Into Cannabis with a 100-Year Foundation

The floor at Lucky Leaf Expo was just starting to fill when we sat down with Benjamin Mike and Dan Gilbert of Local 49.

There’s a certain energy on day one of an event like that. People are still figuring out where they fit, conversations are just beginning, and you can feel the early stages of something bigger taking shape.

That’s exactly where this conversation landed.

After a quick disclaimer and introduction, we started with a simple question.

How far back does Local 49 go?

“We’re coming up on 100 years here in Minnesota,” Benjamin shared.

That history matters. Because what Local 49 brings into cannabis isn’t new. It’s decades of experience supporting workers across construction, public sector jobs, and heavy equipment operations.

From the Field to the Industry

For Benjamin Mike, the journey started on the ground.

“I started in concrete removal… ADA sidewalks, curb and gutter… everything we use daily.”

It wasn’t a straight path into leadership. It was built through years of showing up, participating, and developing a real connection to the work and the people around it.

“My passion came from the field. I cared about my union. I showed up. I participated.”

That same mindset is now being applied to cannabis.

Not as outsiders. As partners.

A Different Kind of Union Conversation

One of the biggest shifts in the conversation came when Benjamin addressed the perception of unions directly.

“This isn’t the union of the 1950s… pitchforks and torches. This is about partnership.”

That word came up again and again.

Partnership with operators
Partnership with workers
Partnership with an industry that is still being built in real time

And in Minnesota, where so much of the cannabis space is still micro-business driven, that approach matters.

Benefits That Actually Change the Equation

When the conversation turned to benefits, Dan broke it down simply.

“Pension’s huge. Everybody wants a retirement.”

And then came the line that stuck with everyone in the room.

“We were told 401k’s were the future… but when that money runs out, it runs out. A pension is for life.”

For small cannabis operators, this isn’t just a financial conversation. It’s a structural one.

Local 49 offers access to:

• A large-scale pension fund

• Group health insurance across 15,000+ members

• Streamlined, one-stop benefits administration

“You’re not shopping insurance for three months… you tell us who your people are, you pay it, and you’re done.”

For founders juggling compliance, operations, and growth, that kind of simplicity is real value.

Built for Micro, Not Just Big Business

One of the most important takeaways was how intentional Local 49 is about supporting smaller operators.

“I can help somebody with two people… husband and wife, partners… we can structure that.”

That flexibility is critical in Minnesota right now.

Because this industry is not being built by massive corporations alone. It’s being built by small teams, local founders, and people figuring it out as they go.

Why Unions Are Entering Cannabis

Dan’s story added another layer.

His entry into cannabis started personally.

“My stepdad had cancer… what kept him alive was marijuana. That’s when I started growing.”

What began in hemp evolved into something bigger. A realization that the industry needed structure, support, and protection for workers as it scaled.

That’s where Local 49 saw an opportunity.

Not to control the industry, but to help stabilize it.

Labor Peace Agreements, Explained Simply

In Minnesota, Labor Peace Agreements are part of the cannabis framework.

But there’s often confusion around what they actually mean.

“It binds you to nothing… it just opens the door for conversation.”

An LPA is not a forced contract. It’s a starting point.

A way to:

• Meet state requirements

• Establish communication

• Explore what a working relationship could look like

And if it progresses, it becomes a collaborative process around wages, benefits, and structure.

Beyond Cannabis: A Broader Ecosystem

Local 49 isn’t just looking at cannabis.

They’re already active in Minnesota’s craft brewery space, especially as hemp beverages continue to grow.

With over 30 breweries already engaged through LPAs, they’re building a model that connects multiple industries through shared labor support.

The goal is consistency.

Across cannabis, hemp, and beverage production.

Giving Owners Their Time Back

Toward the end of the conversation, one idea came into focus.

Local 49 isn’t trying to run your business.

“I can’t help you sell more… but I can give you time back.”

Time not spent navigating insurance
Time not spent managing fragmented benefits
Time not spent solving problems alone

In an industry where time is everything, that might be one of the most valuable things they offer.

Minnesota’s cannabis industry is still being written.

And conversations like this show that it’s not just about products or licenses.

It’s about people, structure, and building something that lasts.

Local 49 is stepping into that story with nearly 100 years behind them.

And a clear goal ahead.

To help the industry grow the right way.

Join the conversation and connect with us at the next event.