Labor Relations Cannabis employers enter a new chapter that includes unionozation, pay transparency and turnover For the fi rst time since states began regulating adultuse marijuana, the cannabis industry job market is contracting. Both plant-touching and ancillary companies have announced layoff s in the past year, slowing the path to entry for job seekers looking to break into the industry. Marijuana companies seeking to attract and retain talent should know: * While middle managers oten are on the chopping block for cannabis companies considering layoff s, hourly positions are still in high demand. * Experienced marijuana workers increasingly are moving east, where newly legal markets are creating job vacancies and greater opportunities. * Companies increasingly are embracing fractional executives, or high-level roles fi lled by experienced leaders willing to work part time. * When payroll service Paychex stopped servicing cannabis companies earlier this year, many executives said they would never again use a payroll provider that wasn't created to serve cannabis clients. * Some marijuana companies working with unions say the partnership brings new skills and opportunities for expansion. * Companies in locations that don't require pay transparency are adopting the practice anyway, saying it makes hiring easier. mjbizdaily.com | September 2023 31http://www.mjbizdaily.com