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Employees at a cannabis dispensary in South Jersey are the latest group of workers in New Jersey’s industry to unionize.

According to United Food and Commercial Workers Local 360, staffers at Flower & Flame in Blackwood recently voted to organize as members of the union. UFCW Local 360 represents hundreds of thousands of cannabis industry workers in dispensaries, labs, manufacturing, processing, delivery and grow facilities across the U.S.

A minority- and women-owned recreational cannabis dispensary, Flower & Flame opened in March. The shop aims to provide high-quality, cost-effective products, as well as a knowledgeable staff who can serve both first-time and experienced cannabis consumers.

The store also seeks to “create positive impact waves and mitigate the negative impact of cannabis criminalization within the local community.”

‘Cannabis Workers Rising’

Because New Jersey’s cannabis laws require employers to negotiate in good faith if workers seek union representation, employees at several companies have unionized over the past two-and-a-half years with groups like United Food and Commercial Workers Local 152, Teamsters Local 469 and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 360.

In a statement, UFCW Local 360 Director of Organizing Hugh Giordano said, “An organized and labor-supported workforce is part of such a workplace, and it is exciting to see these employees recognize. This decision to join UFCW Local 360 is them reaching for success and a brighter future, for families, communities and their employer.”

He also credited UFCW’s “Cannabis Workers Rising” campaign as a factor in Local 360’s continued organizing success. According to Giordano, the initiative has been a driving force in helping develop and stabilize the legal cannabis industry across the U.S. for more than a decade.

“Right now, thousands of New Jersey’s cannabis workers, from dispensaries, labs, and kitchens, to growing, manufacturing, processing and delivery, enjoy better wages, protection from unfair discipline, access to important benefits, and training opportunities because of our work, and the work of other bona fide unions,” he said.

Flower & Flame did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding unionization efforts.