all your medical marijuana needs in one place. SEPT 22ND–SEPT 28TH, 2022 PHOENIX NEW TIMES phoenixnewtimes.com State Licensed Dispensaries & Doctor Certifications | CANNABIS | Backlash from p 39 fired after a supervisor claimed that they had been under the influence at work. Santoyo denied the allegation and said the company provided her no evidence, aside from the supervisor’s claims, that this occurred. She said the company tried to prevent a union representative from attending the meeting in which she was fired. UFCW organizer Mario Gonzalez, who was present at the meeting, confirmed this account to New Times. He said that the union has filed unfair labor practice charges against Zen Leaf over the terminations. “It’s been a frustrating ride,” Santoyo said. She had been a supporter of the union and of changes at the dispensary, but she also cared deeply about her job, she explained. “We love our job. We love our patients. We’re here to educate people, to help people feel better.” Other workers provided New Times with accounts of their own experiences at Zen Leaf that drove them to show up at the protest on September 8. Former budtender Lilian Bernal said she was fired in June for arriving at work six minutes late. She was the first one fired during the course of the union drive. “They started with me to target because I was very vocal about unionizing,” she said. Bernal’s main concern — shared by several of her coworkers — was that after Verano acquired the dispensary, budtenders’ tips began to be pooled. Instead of allowing budtenders to keep most of their own tips, the tips were now shared among management and back-of- house staff. Bernal said her earnings from a 12-hour shift dropped by as much as $200 — all so the company could “make up for the lack of pay that they should be giving [other staff ].” “I love this store, and I’m very loyal to it and my customers,” Bernal said. But with a 30-minute commute, the sudden drop in earnings was difficult. “It’s hard to do that if you don’t have enough gas to get to work.” Clcok from p 37 company may expand its hours to include more days. The change to Guadalupe’s zoning ordi- nance kicks in 30 days after the vote. To celebrate, the dispensary has planned a series of events in October. On October 13, the store will offer a live 42 DJ, a variety of “Midnight Madness” buy- one-get-one deals, and free prizes and give- aways throughout the night. In addition, anyone ages 21 and older who cruises into Mint’s flagship store on October 13 will Katya Schwenk Marieleigh Solano protested the firing of multiple budtenders on Labor Day at Zen Leaf. Another worker, Brianna Martinez, said she was frustrated by the lack of disability accommodations she experienced at the store. Martinez, who said she suffered from post-COVID-19 complications, is currently on medical leave. But while she was worked as a budtender, she was barred from using a wheelchair that was sitting empty at the store, she said. “It takes a mental toll on you,” she said. “Not getting the support from upper management or from corporate, it’s a slap in the face.” The NLRB investigations into the dispensary are still in the early stages. But workers said during the protest that it was important to show up to support their coworkers and demonstrate the value of their jobs. “We have patients,” Santoyo said. “We’re not just cashiers. We’re more than that.” receive a 25 percent discount on purchases. At midnight, the first 100 people ages 21 and older who shop at the store will receive a goody bag with product and swag. Anyone over age 21 who visits the dispensary between midnight and 8 a.m. on October 14 will receive a free pre-roll. Mint also stressed that the 24-hour store in Guadalupe offers a well-lit parking lot, scores of security cameras, and security guards. The 12,000-square foot dispensary also includes a built-in cannabis cultivation center, a cannabis-infused kitchen, and delivery service.