Latest news with #MichaelSimon
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oregon's voter-approved pot labor law is unconstitutional, federal judge rules
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A federal judge in Oregon struck down a voter-approved measure regarding cannabis labor agreements Tuesday, ruling that it was unconstitutional. Measure 119, which was passed by Oregon voters last year, required cannabis businesses to have a labor peace agreement with a labor organization in order to obtain or renew a license. The agreements would have required employers to remain neutral when a labor organization communicated with employees about collective bargaining rights. U.S. District Judge Michael Simon barred enforcement of the measure, finding that it violated the free speech of cannabis business owners and was preempted by federal labor law, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. The National Labor Relations Act allows employers to express 'any views, argument or opinion' that are not threatening or coercive without facing an unfair labor practice claim. The lawsuit was filed by Ascend, a cannabis retailer in Portland, and Bubble's Hash, a processor that makes edibles and concentrates also based in Portland. State lawyers who defended the measure had argued that the measure didn't curb speech because employers can still express opinions about unions as long as they're neutral, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. Simon disagreed and entered a permanent injunction barring enforcement of the measure. 'Measure 119 is not limited to restricting only threatening, coercive, false, or misleading speech, but instead prohibits all speech by employers that is not 'neutral' toward unionization,' he wrote. During a hearing last month, Simon said he recognized the 'historical and valuable role' of unions and that those who work in the cannabis industry can face greater dangers than typical workers, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. But he said he struggled with the ambiguity of the measure's text regarding what it would allow an employer to say or do. Oregon's Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment from The Oregonian/OregonLive. It has not yet said whether the state intends to appeal Simon's ruling.
Winnipeg Free Press
21-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Oregon's voter-approved pot labor law is unconstitutional, federal judge rules
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A federal judge in Oregon struck down a voter-approved measure regarding cannabis labor agreements Tuesday, ruling that it was unconstitutional. Measure 119, which was passed by Oregon voters last year, required cannabis businesses to have a labor peace agreement with a labor organization in order to obtain or renew a license. The agreements would have required employers to remain neutral when a labor organization communicated with employees about collective bargaining rights. U.S. District Judge Michael Simon barred enforcement of the measure, finding that it violated the free speech of cannabis business owners and was preempted by federal labor law, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. The National Labor Relations Act allows employers to express 'any views, argument or opinion' that are not threatening or coercive without facing an unfair labor practice claim. The lawsuit was filed by Ascend, a cannabis retailer in Portland, and Bubble's Hash, a processor that makes edibles and concentrates also based in Portland. State lawyers who defended the measure had argued that the measure didn't curb speech because employers can still express opinions about unions as long as they're neutral, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. Simon disagreed and entered a permanent injunction barring enforcement of the measure. 'Measure 119 is not limited to restricting only threatening, coercive, false, or misleading speech, but instead prohibits all speech by employers that is not 'neutral' toward unionization,' he wrote. During a hearing last month, Simon said he recognized the 'historical and valuable role' of unions and that those who work in the cannabis industry can face greater dangers than typical workers, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. But he said he struggled with the ambiguity of the measure's text regarding what it would allow an employer to say or do. Oregon's Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment from The Oregonian/OregonLive. It has not yet said whether the state intends to appeal Simon's ruling.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oregon's voter-approved pot labor law is unconstitutional, federal judge rules
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A federal judge in Oregon struck down a voter-approved measure regarding cannabis labor agreements Tuesday, ruling that it was unconstitutional. Measure 119, which was passed by Oregon voters last year, required cannabis businesses to have a labor peace agreement with a labor organization in order to obtain or renew a license. The agreements would have required employers to remain neutral when a labor organization communicated with employees about collective bargaining rights. U.S. District Judge Michael Simon barred enforcement of the measure, finding that it violated the free speech of cannabis business owners and was preempted by federal labor law, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. The National Labor Relations Act allows employers to express 'any views, argument or opinion' that are not threatening or coercive without facing an unfair labor practice claim. The lawsuit was filed by Ascend, a cannabis retailer in Portland, and Bubble's Hash, a processor that makes edibles and concentrates also based in Portland. State lawyers who defended the measure had argued that the measure didn't curb speech because employers can still express opinions about unions as long as they're neutral, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. Simon disagreed and entered a permanent injunction barring enforcement of the measure. 'Measure 119 is not limited to restricting only threatening, coercive, false, or misleading speech, but instead prohibits all speech by employers that is not 'neutral' toward unionization,' he wrote. During a hearing last month, Simon said he recognized the 'historical and valuable role' of unions and that those who work in the cannabis industry can face greater dangers than typical workers, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. But he said he struggled with the ambiguity of the measure's text regarding what it would allow an employer to say or do. Oregon's Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment from The Oregonian/OregonLive. It has not yet said whether the state intends to appeal Simon's ruling. The Associated Press
Associated Press
21-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Oregon's voter-approved pot labor law is unconstitutional, federal judge rules
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A federal judge in Oregon struck down a voter-approved measure regarding cannabis labor agreements Tuesday, ruling that it was unconstitutional. Measure 119, which was passed by Oregon voters last year, required cannabis businesses to have a labor peace agreement with a labor organization in order to obtain or renew a license. The agreements would have required employers to remain neutral when a labor organization communicated with employees about collective bargaining rights. U.S. District Judge Michael Simon barred enforcement of the measure, finding that it violated the free speech of cannabis business owners and was preempted by federal labor law, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. The National Labor Relations Act allows employers to express 'any views, argument or opinion' that are not threatening or coercive without facing an unfair labor practice claim. The lawsuit was filed by Ascend, a cannabis retailer in Portland, and Bubble's Hash, a processor that makes edibles and concentrates also based in Portland. State lawyers who defended the measure had argued that the measure didn't curb speech because employers can still express opinions about unions as long as they're neutral, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. Simon disagreed and entered a permanent injunction barring enforcement of the measure. 'Measure 119 is not limited to restricting only threatening, coercive, false, or misleading speech, but instead prohibits all speech by employers that is not 'neutral' toward unionization,' he wrote. During a hearing last month, Simon said he recognized the 'historical and valuable role' of unions and that those who work in the cannabis industry can face greater dangers than typical workers, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. But he said he struggled with the ambiguity of the measure's text regarding what it would allow an employer to say or do. Oregon's Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment from The Oregonian/OregonLive. It has not yet said whether the state intends to appeal Simon's ruling.
Black America Web
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
The High Life: Carmelo Anthony Debuts New Cannabis Brand ‘STAYME70' At The Travel Agency's Fifth Avenue Store
Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE Source: Michael Simon / Getty Last week (April 17th), The Travel Agency, New York's premier cannabis destination, teamed up with 10-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony to celebrate his debut cannabis brand, STAYME70. In celebration of the launch and the 4/20 holiday, Anthony made a public appearance at The Travel Agency's Fifth Avenue location to meet fans and debut his newest venture. While at The Travel Agency, the New York Knicks legend met fans, who gained VIP access – including autographs and photo ops – through purchasing the debut collection, while enjoying The Travel Agency's fan-favorite DJ series Airwaves. 'It's a legendary moment in cannabis history to welcome Hall of Famer and New York icon Carmelo Anthony to The Travel Agency,' says Paul Yau, CEO and co-founder of The Travel Agency. 'As the first adult-use dispensary on Fifth Avenue, we've always aimed to set the standard, and this moment not only celebrates Melo's entry into New York cannabis, but also cements New York's place as a global leader in the industry.' STAYME70, pronounced 'Stay Melo,' was made in partnership with renowned cannabis entrepreneur Jesce Horton and award-winning creative director Brandon Drew Jordan Pierce ('Beedy'). The partnership between STAYME70 is a natural extension for both brands, with both carrying core missions of bringing social equity into the cannabis industry, prioritizing working with BIPOC-owned businesses, and reinforcing the commitment to social justice and economic empowerment. Carmelo's visit drew hundreds fans to The Travel Agency's Fifth Avenue dispensary. The event was part of The Travel Agency's 'High Neighbor' series –a 4/20 celebration reimagining suburban nostalgia through a week of immersive, neighborhood-driven cannabis experiences. The Travel Agency is proud to partner with the New York legend, and welcome STAYME70 across all three of its NYC locations. This partnership marks the beginning of a larger mission — rooted in dismantling stigmas, championing equity, and bringing creativity, joy, and culture into the cannabis industry. Congrats to Carmelo Anthony! Check out some photos from the event below! The High Life: Carmelo Anthony Debuts New Cannabis Brand 'STAYME70' At The Travel Agency's Fifth Avenue Store was originally published on Source:Getty Source:Getty Source:Getty Source:Getty Source:Getty Source:Getty Source:Getty Source:Getty Source:Getty Source:Getty Source:Getty Source:Getty Source:Getty
