The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) is by far the most dominant union involved in the cannabis industry.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy even appointed a UFCW official to the state’s new Cannabis Regulatory Commission, underscoring the union’s role in the state’s soon-to-launch adult-use marijuana program.
The UFCW started a formal effort in 2013 called Cannabis Workers Rising to organize employees in the marijuana and hemp industries, which offer greater growth opportunities versus mainstream businesses such as grocery chains and retailers.
Law enforcement officials aren't pleased with certain aspects of New Jersey's new cannabis laws. That's particularly true for Wyckoff Police as it pertains to how they deal with minors now that weed is legal.
Police Chief David Murphy penned a letter to township parents this week detailing the new mandates as he sees them. Most notably, Murphy balked at the idea that his officers can't make a call to parents if a minor is caught with weed for the first time.
City officials have taken the first step toward possibly allowing marijuana sales by calling for a study of exactly where zoning would allow a dispensary.
This week, the council voted to authorize the city manager to look into what areas in the city would abide by the state’s guidelines regarding dispensary locations.
Councilman Joseph Delaney said council members felt it was important to look into the possibility, because the tax incentives would benefit the city.
State Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Woodridge) introduced a bill allowing businesses to prohibit alcohol and drug use on the job, provisions meant to assuage the business community’s concerns over marijuana use.
“Marijuana may be legal, but it’s not safe for certain workers to be under the influence while on the job. There should be no confusion about workers’ rights and employer responsibilities to protect workplace safety,” Sarlo said.
In a message released to residents of Hopewell Valley, police administration said that one aspect not expected under the new laws signed on Feb. 22 had been the prohibiting of police departments to notify parents or guardians, if young people under 21 years old are found to possess marijuana or alcoholic beverages as a first offense.
Senator Sarlo’s proposal would ensure that regulated professions and industries with special safety requirements can prohibit on-the-job use of alcohol and drugs, including marijuana. The bill would address potential conflicts between the legalization legislation and standards governing workplace safety in regulated professions, including law enforcement, medicine and healthcare, education and childcare, building trades, utilities, heavy construction, truck drivers and equipment operators.
While Rowan University could offer more specific details for students, they are limited mainly due to the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, which still apply to universities in states with legalization.
The new legal industry
Possession of six ounces or less of marijuana — and using it on private property — is now decriminalized in New Jersey for people ages 21 and up. That means you can’t be criminally charged for it.
So far though, it still isn’t technically legal to buy or sell recreational marijuana, and won’t be until state officials write regulations and award licenses to the businesses that will make up the new legal market.
Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Senator Anthony M. Bucco are taking the lead to fix some of the most obvious problems with the new cannabis law passed by the Trenton Democrats.
The Senate Republican colleagues will introduce legislation that would restore liability protections for police during a marijuana-related interaction with underage youths and another to repeal a new law prohibiting law enforcement from notifying parents if their child is caught possessing alcohol or marijuana.
On Wednesday night, the Seaside Heights borough council passed a resolution calling on Governor Murphy and State Lawmakers to repeal Senate Bill #3454, that prohibits police and parent interaction on a first offense and the section that would charge police officers with a 3rd Degree Crime for Civil Rights Depravation.