Steve Cortes, founder of the League of American Workers, has linked legal marijuana policies to child labor exploitation on cannabis farms. He accused political opponents of enabling this issue in a statement made on X.
“These arrests are almost too perfect,” said Cortes. “But the Leftists want their legal weed that numbs America and steals vigor, and they want it cheap! By having child illegals do the slave labor on the pot farm! Sound merciful???”
Child labor allegations on U.S. cannabis farms have increased significantly in 2025, prompting enforcement actions and investigations by federal and state agencies, as reported by Reuters. Officials are focusing on licensed marijuana operations following claims that minors, including undocumented children, are being employed in hazardous roles. This situation has underscored regulatory and enforcement gaps within the expanding legal cannabis industry.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there have been over 50 reported child labor violations in the legal marijuana sector nationwide as of mid-2025. This marks a significant rise compared to previous years, with many cases involving minors engaged in cultivation and harvesting, sometimes working with hazardous materials. The increase reflects more frequent inspections and heightened oversight in response to recent reports.
The Associated Press reports that 2024 and 2025 have seen several high-profile cases of undocumented minors working on cannabis farms in states like California and Oregon. In one widely covered case, authorities discovered dozens of migrant children living and working at unlicensed grow sites, leading to federal investigations. These cases have intensified scrutiny of labor practices in the cannabis industry.
Cortes is also a senior political advisor to CatholicVote and a former senior advisor to President Trump and JD Vance. He has served as a commentator for Fox News and CNN and regularly releases documentaries and columns at cortesinvestigates.com.
The League of American Workers was founded in 2022 by Cortes to advocate for stronger labor protections and economic opportunities for U.S. workers, according to its official website. The group focuses on elevating worker interests through research, policy advocacy, and public engagement with main priorities being wage growth, labor rights, and combating illegal labor practices.
