The project began when canvassers walked off the job at the Campaign for the Restoration and Regulation of Hemp, citing mismanagement and late paychecks.[1][2] The campaign spread a few weeks later to Grassroots Campaigns, Inc., a fundraiser for NGOs and political action committees, with workers alleging violation of the Portland sick day ordinance, as well as extremely high turnover due to their $130 a day fundraising quota.[3] The campaign then spread to Fieldworks, LLC, a field organizing contractor. Union supporters discovered that the voter registration drive Fieldworks was employing them in was funded by AFSCME and several other trade unions.[4]
The union has attracted controversy for militant demands submitted to management, including a demand for free medical marijuana from the chief petitioners of the Campaign for the Restoration and Regulation of Hemp.[5]