Despite delay in N.J. cannabis market, weed workers moving full steam ahead to unionize

Union fever is spreading like wildfire among the state’s cannabis workers even though the adult use recreational market has yet to open up.

The workers prepping for that day say they want careers, not just jobs, and that’s spurring union drives throughout New Jersey.

Earlier this month nearly two dozen budtenders (the job title for those who help customers at marijuana dispensaries) at Ascend Montclair Dispensary signed a new three-year contract offering health benefits and wage increases.

But they won’t be the only ones for long, predict those who are leading the charge to get cannabis workers unionized.

“From budtenders to cultivators, to trimmers — cannabis workers will be pursuing union representation not only in New Jersey, but around the nation,” said Hugh Giordano, cannabis representative of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 360, which represents a large majority of cultivation and dispensary workers in the state.

“Cannabis workers rising together as one voice, allows the Industry to grow with its workforce — whether that voice speaks in regards to economic justice such as fair wages and benefits; or social justice, in making sure people of color, LGBTQ, women, and other marginalized communities have a seat at the table,” added Giordano. [Read more at NJ.com]