Cultivation employees at FRESH Cultivation’s Somerset, New Jersey facility have voted to unionize with United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 360. This marks the third FRESH Cannabis location in New Jersey to join the union, following previous successful organizing efforts at their Eatontown and Elizabeth dispensaries. The move signifies a growing trend of labor organization within the state’s expanding cannabis industry.
“Cannabis Workers Rising” Gains Momentum
The unionization drive is part of UFCW Local 360’s broader “Cannabis Workers Rising” campaign, which aims to secure better wages, job security, and improved working conditions for employees across the state’s burgeoning cannabis sector. Hugh Giordano, Director of Organizing for UFCW Local 360, emphasized the crucial role cultivation workers play, stating, “Cultivation workers are the backbone of this industry. It’s their skill, care, and commitment that determine product quality, consistency, and safety.”. He added that the union’s success stems from its transparency and expertise. Sam Ferraino Jr., President of UFCW Local 360, highlighted the significance of this development, noting that workers are “rejecting anti-worker narratives and coming together to secure their futures”.
John Edwards III, a FRESH Cultivation employee, expressed his satisfaction with the unionization, stating, “Working with the union means security in my job and in my daily life. Having people who are on my side, to support my needs in the background, is reassuring.”. This sentiment underscores the desire for stability and support among workers in a rapidly evolving industry.
The Expanding New Jersey Cannabis Landscape
New Jersey’s legal cannabis market has seen significant growth, with sales projected to reach $1.3 billion in 2025. This expansion has created numerous jobs, with cannabis employment nearly doubling from 3,147 to 7,367 full-time positions between 2022 and 2023. As the industry matures, labor organizations like UFCW Local 360 are playing a pivotal role in shaping its future by advocating for fair labor practices. The union has been active in organizing workers across various cannabis businesses in New Jersey, including dispensaries like Valley Wellness and NJ Leaf.
FRESH Cannabis, a multi-state operator with facilities in New Jersey, Colorado, and Delaware, describes itself as a “modern legacy” brand with over 15 years of experience in the legal cannabis marketplace. The company operates both cultivation facilities and dispensaries, representing a key segment of New Jersey’s legal cannabis economy that Local 360 has been working to organize and professionalize since legalization began.
Broader Industry Trends and Implications
The unionization of FRESH Cannabis cultivation workers aligns with a national trend of increased labor organizing within the cannabis industry. Unions, including UFCW, are positioning themselves as key partners in developing a regulated cannabis industry that offers family-sustaining jobs and promotes social equity. While the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has grappled with classifying cannabis workers, particularly in relation to agricultural labor exemptions, unions continue to advocate for worker protections.
UFCW Local 360’s “Cannabis Workers Rising” campaign has been instrumental in this organizing push, successfully bringing thousands of cannabis workers into the union fold since its inception. The union highlights that this organizing effort is about partnership, aiming to help businesses succeed while ensuring workers can build stable careers. The news from Somerset is a notable development in this ongoing effort, reflecting the increasing demand for worker representation and fair treatment within the trending cannabis sector.
