Analysts have said that a labor union is organizing medical marijuana workers in Oakland, Calif., a move likely to aid efforts in the state to legalize marijuana.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported on Friday that United Food and Commercial Workers Local 5 in San Jose, Calif., is thought to be the first union to organize workers in a marijuana-related business.

He has 15 newly signed-up union employees ready to start work for a December opening, says the executive director of an Oakland non-profit medical cannabis dispensary seeking a city permit.

Carl Anderson said, "With full union health benefits and a pension."

A Local 5 organizer also said that if California voters approve an initiative on the November ballot legalizing possession and use of small amounts of marijuana, thousands of new workers could be unionized.

Local 5 President Ron Lind further said that they would include retail clerks at dispensaries, cannabis-processing jobs, agricultural work for growers and security positions at dispensaries.

He said, "These will be good union jobs with middle-class incomes."

The Chronicle also reported that the union has not officially endorsed the November legalization initiative, but Lind said the union's national leadership is "supportive" of the local's efforts. (With Inputs from Agencies)