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

Included in

Sociology Commons

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