The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 360 labor union announced that NJ Leaf dispensary workers in North Brunswick in Middlesex County voted to unionize as a pro-cannabis worker bill passed the Legislature.

NJ Leaf North Brunswick Dispensary Unionized by UFCW

It is second NJ Leaf location to join the union. According to the UFCW, NJ Leaf owner Ritesh Shah supports the decision. They said it shows NJ Leaf’s commitment to building a safe, inclusive, and rewarding environment for both employees and customers.

The location was owned by another dispensary before they bought it.

“We’re ending the year on a strong note,” UFCW Local 360 President Sam Ferraino, Jr. said.

He added that the NJ Leaf vote “reinforces what we’ve said all along. Stronger unions mean stronger industries and stronger communities.”

The newly organized North Brunswick employees join colleagues at NJ Leaf’s Freehold dispensary in Monmouth County who also unionized with the UFCW Local 360.

Their decision adds to the growing success of UFCW Local 360’s Cannabis Workers Rising campaign. It’s their ongoing statewide initiative that has helped shape labor standards and stabilize New Jersey’s young cannabis industry.

“This vote reflects what we’re seeing across the state. Cannabis workers know their value. And want a real say in their industry’s future,” said Hugh Giordano, UFCW Local 360’s Organizing Director. “Workers take pride in their expertise, in great customer relationships, and in developing a safe, responsible and sustainable cannabis marketplace. The choice to stand with Local 360 is a major step toward long-term success for them, and for NJ Leaf.”

He also noted that employees “in the cannabis industry understand that sustainable success for businesses, employees, and communities starts with fair treatment for all parties involved. That idea is what union membership is all about. And what has convinced so many industry workers to join Local 360.”

Pro-Cannabis Worker Progress Made

Ferraino emphasized that the vote comes during a noteworthy year of worker-led progress across the legal cannabis industry.

“We’re ending the year on a remarkably strong note, welcoming another NJ Leaf site into the Local 360 family,” he explained. “Despite the challenges facing Cannabis workers, the North Brunswick team’s decision reinforces what we’ve said all along: stronger unions mean stronger industries and stronger communities.”

Pro Cannabis Cultivation Workers Bills Progress

Bills to help legal cannabis workers in cannabis sites passed the New Jersey Legislature recently. A 8142 and S 3139 passed both the NJ Senate and the Assembly quickly largely on partisan lines.

It passed the NJ Senate Budget and Appropriate Committee first. Committee Chair Paul Sarlo (D-36-Bergen) explained there was a substitute for the bills S 3139/A4182.

Certain cannabis workers and their disputes will be handled by the Division of Private Employment Dispute Settlement. That’s if they’re not covered by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) which does not handle agriculture or cultivation.

The Division could handle disputes by workers in a labor union-like fashion who are not covered by NLRA, like those who work in cultivation.

During the committee hearing it was announced NJ-AFL-CIO labor union federation, Michelle Liebtag of the Mercer County Labor Council and UFCW union local 152 supported the bill.

Giordano told Heady NJ that the UFCW Local 360 supported the efforts as well.

However, Todd Johnson of the NJ Cannabis Trade Association (NJCTA) testified that he opposed the bill.

It became law nonetheless.