Raid by ICE on a California cannabis company prompts significant workforce modifications to prevent a reoccurrence
In the aftermath of the July 10, 2025 ICE raids at its cannabis farms in California, Glass House Brands has taken significant steps to reform its labor practices. The company, a major player in the California cannabis industry, has severed ties with farm labor contractors involved in the operations and signed a "labor peace" agreement with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters [2][4].
The raids, which resulted in the death of one worker and the detention of over 360 people, including 14 minors, have raised concerns about labor practices within the cannabis industry. However, Glass House Brands maintains that none of its direct employees detained were under 21 years old, and it denies employing minors directly [1][3].
To bolster its employment eligibility verification, Glass House Brands has hired experts to scrutinize workers' documents and consulting firm Guidepost Services, led by former ICE director Julie Myers Wood, to advise on this matter [2][4]. The company aims to ensure that all workers who were present during the raid receive their full wages.
The use of farm labor contractors has been a point of contention among farm labor advocates. Some criticize Glass House for using this mechanism as a means to avoid direct responsibility, claiming that farmworkers are the ones suffering [2]. It remains unclear if the farm labor contractors responsible for paying the workers have done so.
The raid has sent shockwaves through the wider cannabis industry, with some interpreting it as a possible end to the federal government's ceasefire on cannabis operations in California. However, no further contact with the federal government has been reported since the raid, according to a source close to the company.
California labor law allows children as young as 12 to work in agriculture, but workers must be 21 to work in cannabis. The United Farm Workers and other organizations have advised non-citizen farm laborers to avoid working in cannabis due to its federal illegality.
In light of the raid, Glass House Brands has called in grief counselors to support its affected workforce. The company is determined to learn from this incident and establish a more transparent and accountable labor environment moving forward.
- The immigration status of some farmworkers in the California cannabis industry has come under scrutiny following the July 10, 2025 ICE raids at Glass House Brands' cannabis farms.
- The California cannabis industry has been criticized for its labor practices, with the use of farm labor contractors being a particular point of contention.
- Glass House Brands is seeking to improve its labor practices and ensure compliance with California labor laws, hiring experts to scrutinize workers' documents and consulting firm Guidepost Services to advise on this matter.
- As a result of the raids, some organizations have advised non-citizen farm laborers to avoid working in the cannabis industry because of its federal illegality.
- In the aftermath of the raids, Glass House Brands is also focusing on the well-being of its affected workforce, calling in grief counselors to support them.
- The raid and subsequent actions taken by Glass House Brands have raised questions about the future of the federal government's stance on cannabis operations in California.
