Graduation Date
Fall 2024
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Master of Arts degree with a major in Sociology
Committee Chair Name
Joshua Meisel
Committee Chair Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Dominic Corva
Second Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Keywords
Cannabis Labor, Northern California Cannabis Workers, Cannabis Workers, Humboldt Cannabis Workers, Worker Survey
Subject Categories
Sociology
Abstract
AN INTERSECTIONAL ANALYSIS OF FINDINGS FROM HUMBOLDT COUNTY: THE CALIFORNIA CANNABIS WORKER AND EQUITY SURVEY
Jae Smith
This study explores how intersectional axes of identity, particularly gender and race, shape the experiences of precarity and resistance among cannabis workers in Humboldt County amid the industry's ongoing transition to legalization. Drawing on survey data from a diverse sample of 58 cannabis workers, the analysis revealed complex dimensions of precarity, including structural, physical, socioemotional, and material issues. Findings indicate that BIPOC workers, particularly men, face heightened structural precarity compared to their white counterparts, while the intersection of race and gender exacerbated vulnerabilities for BIPOC women and beyond binary individuals. Despite these challenges, workers demonstrated resilience and advocacy, emphasizing their agency in navigating challenging work conditions and systemic inequities. This study highlights the importance of centering the voices of cannabis workers—often overlooked in existing scholarship—to inform sustainable change and impactful progress. This study emphasizes the need for worker-centered action that addresses the multifaceted nature of precarity and promotes social justice in the cannabis industry.
Citation Style
ASA
Recommended Citation
Smith, Jennifer A., "AN INTERSECTIONAL ANALYSIS OF FINDINGS FROM HUMBOLDT COUNTY: THE CALIFORNIA CANNABIS WORKER AND EQUITY SURVEY" (2024). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 791.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/791