Worker Eligibility Notice

1. Who this applies to

This notice applies to anyone considering signing up as a contractor on Unify to work cannabis-industry shifts in New Mexico. Read this before you start an application — it lays out the hard requirements, what credentials you'll need to upload, and what will disqualify you either during onboarding or after you're active.

2. Hard requirements

Every contractor on Unify must meet all of the following. These are not negotiable — they come from New Mexico law, federal employment law, or cannabis-industry standards that operators rely on us to enforce.

21 years of age or older

The New Mexico Cannabis Regulation Act (NMSA 26-2C) requires every cannabis worker to be at least 21 years old. This is a hard floor with no exceptions — not at 18, not at 20, not with a parent's consent. If you're under 21, you cannot work on Unify shifts in New Mexico.

Eligible to work in the United States

You must be legally authorized to work in the US — that means a US citizen, lawful permanent resident, or someone holding an appropriate work-authorized visa. Unify doesn't verify immigration status directly; you self-attest during onboarding and provide the identification documents listed below. Misrepresenting your work authorization is grounds for immediate account termination.

Pass a background check

Every contractor completes a state and nationwide background check through our partner Checkr before applying to shifts. See our Background Check Disclosure for what we collect and how it's used, and the Summary of Your Rights under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. Refusing the check, or failing it in a way that excludes you from cannabis work, ends the onboarding process.

Government-issued ID

One current, unexpired government-issued photo ID. We accept a driver's license, state ID, US passport, military ID, permanent resident card, or tribal ID. This is used to verify your identity to Unify, to the operator you'll be working for, and (in some cases) to the New Mexico Cannabis Control Division.

Secondary ID

A Social Security card, US birth certificate, or a second government-issued ID. This is required for I-9-style identity and work-authorization documentation — the same combination of documents you'd show any employer in the United States.

Food Handler's Card

A current Food Handler's Card from a recognized provider — ServSafe, Learn2Serve, StateFoodSafety, or a New Mexico state or county equivalent. Cannabis facilities require this as a basic hygiene credential because the product you're handling is ingested or inhaled. Cards typically last 2–3 years; you're responsible for renewing before expiration.

3. NM cannabis worker badging

Some New Mexico cannabis roles require an employer-sponsored worker badge issued by the NM Cannabis Control Division (CCD). Unify does notissue badges directly — the operator you're working for handles badging if their license type and your role require it.

For most short-term labor on Unify — trimming, packaging, harvest crew — the operator's existing badging program covers contractors working under their supervision. For consumption-area roles, a server permit may be required within 30 days of starting that work, and the operator coordinates the application process with you.

4. Payment and tax responsibilities

You'll be paid as a 1099 independent contractor, not as a W-2 employee. Unify reports payouts annually on IRS Form 1099-NEC where required by law (typically $600+ in a calendar year).

You are responsible for federal income tax, New Mexico state income tax, and self-employment tax (Social Security + Medicare) on everything you earn. Unify does not withhold taxes from your payouts. As a rough rule of thumb, set aside roughly 30%of each payout for taxes — your actual rate depends on your total income, deductions, and filing status, and you should talk to a tax professional if you're unsure.

5. What gets you disqualified during onboarding

• Under 21 years of age.
• Refusing the background check.
• A failed background check with results that exclude cannabis-industry work. Specific disqualifying offenses vary; the NM Cannabis Control Division publishes guidance, and not every conviction is disqualifying.
• Inability to provide a valid, current, government-issued ID.
• Past account termination from Unify for serious cause (fraud, violence, theft, repeated no-shows).

6. What gets you disqualified after onboarding

• Strikes — accumulating three active strikes triggers automatic suspension. See our Acceptable Use Policy for the full list of strikeable behavior (no-shows, job abandonment, misconduct, excessive cancellations, admin-issued strikes for serious incidents).
• Lapsed credentials — letting your Food Handler's Card, ID, or other required documents expire without renewing.
• NM CCD action against you specifically — if the state revokes or suspends your ability to work in licensed cannabis, you can't work on Unify.

7. What we don't ask about

We don't collect or consider protected characteristics under federal and New Mexico employment law: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age (other than the 21+ floor required by cannabis law), disability, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, or marital status. We don't share applicant demographic data with operators, and operators don't see this information when reviewing your applications.

8. What if I'm not in New Mexico?

Unify is New Mexico-only at launch. You're welcome to browse the site and create an account, but you won't see any available shifts. If you'd like us to email you when we expand to your state, sign up and we'll keep your address on file for that purpose.

9. Contact

Eligibility questions: support@weunify.io. You may also find an answer in our FAQ.

10. Last reviewed

June 28, 2026