Heady NJ recently hosted the South Jersey Canna Blooming party and live Heady show at the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 360 union hall.

Heady NJ Editor Dan Ulloa moderated a podcast show panel with UFCW Local 360 union Organizing Director Hugh Giordano and former New Jersey CannaBusiness Association (NJCBA) President and Township Green Dispensary owner Scott Rudder.

They discussed issues in Jersey Cannabis, medical marijuana, the community, and cannabis politics, including home growing during the Q and A. 

NJ Cannabis Content Creators Featured

Kicking off the live podcast were social media influencers and cannabis content creators Preston Vincent of New Jersey Dispensary Reviews, Peter The Bucket Man, and The Dispensary Guy Mike Wiehl. They talked about their passion for the community, their professions, and the importance of freedom and humanity. 

In addition, Nichelle Santos of CannaCoverage spoke about her work protecting cannabis businesses and medical cannabis issues.  

Heady Show Panel on Jersey Issues

Scott thanked Hugh Giordano for their relationship, between the NJ Cannabis Association on the business side and the UFCW protecting workers, collaborating to benefit all. 

“This is exactly what the Union Hall is about. It’s about community. It’s about getting together. It’s about humanizing each other,” Hugh said. “We wanted to make sure that workers had that representation…We wanted to make sure that everybody had a victory…and that was the goal of the UFCW and the goal of my mission as an individual, to make sure that folks could eat.”

What are Some Opportunities That Exist for People Now That Didn’t Exist?  

Hugh: “It was a very tight community, very few employers. So if you got a job as a budtender or you got a job in the cultivation site, you weren’t leaving. But now with adult use, folks have more opportunity in that.”

“Also, the education system in New Jersey has changed. You got Rowan, you got Stockton, you got Rutgers invested. You have community colleges that are investing in this education.” “This is going to continue to grow.”

Scott: “The whole world is transforming as we speak. AI and all the other innovations and things happening. I couldn’t tell you what the amazing new opportunity is because whatever we think it is today, it’s going to be different tomorrow.”

“There’s going to be jobs that are here today that are going to be different tomorrow.”

“You need to be flexible, and you need to go with the way that technology is going, to get smart on it. Don’t wait for it to impact you. Understand it first before it impacts you.”

What about the Market In New Jersey Makes you Happy?

Scott: “The diversity of product is really amazing in New Jersey.”

“I’m offended on behalf of patients down in Florida that you have this industry there that does not offer a variety of products to deal with different conditions and different symptoms.”

Hugh: “I think the thing I’m excited about is seeing more small business owners, more people of color, more women, have an opportunity to get in.”

“But I think the back of the house, having more products, achieving more jobs, is great to see.”

What Areas of the Industry Would you like to see Improvement? 

Hugh: “Safety, not only safety for patients, but also safety for the workers, making sure that they have safe work environments.”

“We’re seeing employers that are now paying decent wages, that are providing some health care, things that are important to work on.”

Scott: “I think some of the biggest improvements we need to see happen in New Jersey is deregulation. Right now, we are so over-regulated… It’s just dramatically expensive and very, very unnecessary today.”

“We’re seeing this is operational. People aren’t getting shot up all over the place. All these things aren’t happening. There’s a lot of regulations that are in place right now that need to be pulled back.”

NJ Cannabis Homegrow Activism Highlighted

Several advocates, passionate about cannabis rights and patient access, also attended. 

Notably, a large inflatable Rat launched by the activist group Sativa Cross held home gardening legalization protest signs at the entrance to the party.

Longtime activist Jim Miller explained that it represented NJ Senate President Nick Scatari’s (D-22-Union) refusal to allow a hearing for medical cannabis homegrow in New Jersey. 

Miller has been a medical cannabis advocate since 1991. His late wife, Cheryl, suffered from multiple sclerosis, and cannabis provided more relief than anything else, helping her move freely and manage her daily pain. 

The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey came out to share about their work defending patients’ rights and advocating for the community.  

Sativa Cross, who has been advocating for homegrow for years, joined the event as well.

Cannabis Party Fun

The event was a warm gathering of both people steeped in knowledge of the cannabis community, as well as those wishing to experience and learn more about it. 

Barcanna elevated the event, offering complimentary edibles and cannabis-infused mocktails, as well as their Vapor Cup hash concentrate dabs and gravity bongs for guests to try. 

Plus, High Tide also gave out cannabis-infused seltzers in a variety of flavors, including a delicious Cola flavor, according to Dan.

Canna Caviar also joined the event as a sponsor and showcased their cannabis-derived terpene (CDT) glass cartridges. 

Delicious cannabis-themed hot dogs were offered by Stoop Dog, and It’s All Good played lively music throughout the awesome party!