The basics:

• The Botanist New Jersey sales team voted to join UFCW Local 360
• Union effort expands representation beyond cultivation and retail workers
• Sales representatives cited wages, benefits and job security concerns
• The Botanist operates retail, cultivation and manufacturing sites in New Jersey

Sales representatives with a cannabis retail brand in New Jersey are the latest workers in the state’s legalized industry to unionize.

According to the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 360, The Botanist New Jersey’s sales team recently voted to organize as members of the union.

Headquartered in New York City, the Canopy USA-owned brand has retail sites in Williamstown, Collingswood and Egg Harbor Township. It also operates licensed cultivation and manufacturing facilities here.

The Botanist Sales Representative Abbey Perl shared, “Joining Local 360 means ensuring that more of the workers who build these brands secure stable wages, fair benefits and workplaces that respect our contribution to the bottom line.”

As part of their job, the sales team works with licensed dispensaries across New Jersey. They educate retail staff, coordinate with buyers and ensure that cannabis products reach consumers, according to Perl.

She also said, “Sales representatives are the engine of New Jersey’s multibillion-dollar cannabis industry, yet we face extreme market volatility, shifting commission structures and a lack of job security.”

New Jersey’s cannabis laws require management to negotiate in good faith if workers seek union representation. Over the past three years, employees at several companies have unionized. Groups include UFCW Local 152, UFCW Local 360 and Teamsters Local 469.

Spokespersons for The Botanist and Canopy USA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Growing demand

UFCW Local 360 Director of Organizing Hugh Giordano described the organizing effort as a milestone for the union because it extends worker representation beyond cultivation and retail to the professionals who connect cannabis producers with dispensaries.

“These employees are ambassadors for New Jersey’s cannabis industry. They devote their time and energy to helping businesses succeed, supporting dispensary teams, and ensuring the hard work of cultivation and manufacturing employees reaches customers across the state,” he said.

“By choosing to unionize, they’re investing in themselves, their families and communities, and New Jersey’s cannabis industry. These workers recognize that strong partnerships between employees and employers create stronger businesses,” Giordano added.

From cultivation and manufacturing to retail and now statewide sales professionals, workers understand that a successful cannabis industry depends on a skilled, respected and empowered workforce.
—Hugh Giordana, director of organizing, UFCW Local 360

Giordano also credited UFCW’s “Cannabis Workers Rising” more than 10-year campaign as a factor in the continued organizing success. UFCW is the official cannabis union recognized by the AFL-CIO. It represents tens of thousands of workers. Members include individuals in dispensaries, cultivation facilities, manufacturing operations, laboratories, delivery services and processing facilities across the U.S.

UFCW Local 360 President Sam Ferraino Jr. emphasized the growing demand for improved worker protections and benefits across the legalized marijuana industry.

“From cultivation and manufacturing to retail and now statewide sales professionals, workers understand that a successful cannabis industry depends on a skilled, respected and empowered workforce,” he said.