More than a year after winning the fight to unionize, employees at Columbia Care Inc.’s dispensary in Deptford voted unanimously to accept their first labor contract.

Under the terms of the agreement announced July 18 by United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 360, workers at The Cannabist will receive wage increases – both future and retroactive – as well as improved health care access and paid federal holidays.

After organizing in March 2022 and becoming the first of Columbia Care’s 18 owned U.S. dispensaries to do so, Deptford employees petitioned the National Labor Relations Board to support their push to unionize with Local 360, which represents hundreds of thousands of workers in dispensaries, labs, manufacturing, processing, delivery and grow facilities across the U.S.

In a statement, UFCW Local 360 President Sam Ferraino Jr. said, “With this unanimous contract vote, workers at Cannabist have taken a big step towards a better future for themselves and for their families. It’s a testament to their determination and their commitment to this industry. They deserve every congratulations.”

Tom Donoghue, the local’s director of cannabis, added, “Workers are recognizing their importance and finding their voice. The businesses in this industry that will flourish long-term are those that listen to them and deliver the working conditions they need and deserve.”

Columbia Care did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the contract.

As part of New Jersey’s launch of recreational cannabis sales in April 2022, the law included a pro-labor provision requiring companies to negotiate in good faith if employees want union representation. Since then, workers at several cannabis companies – including Ascend, Curaleaf, Valley Wellness, Harmony Dispensary, Verano and Ayr Wellness – have organized.

According to Local 360, workers at The Cannabist in Vineland – Columbia Care’s other dispensary in New Jersey – have also opted to unionize.

In case you missed it

During an NJBIZ virtual discussion, experts from Gibbons PC, Hance Construction Inc., Saul Ewing LLP and Etain reflected on the highs and lows of New Jersey’s emerging cannabis industry. Click here to read what they had to say – or watch it for yourself.