Union Chill Cannabis Co.: Sales Spark Educational Journey

Cannabis dispensaries across the state are opening with one obvious goal in mind: selling their product to the consumer. However, Union Chill Cannabis Co. in Lambertville is aiming to take that sale one step further. The dispensary wants purchasers to have a complete understanding of the use of the product and how to properly store it, ensuring the cannabis doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.

As it prepares to celebrate its one-year anniversary this month, Union Chill recently announced its partnership with Flemington-based Prevention Resources to aid in this educational effort. Prevention Resources will help show Union Chill customers, both in-store and online, how they can practice self-storage methods to protect themselves and those around them.

A Differentiator in the Cannabis Industry

Matt Borish, the vice president of marketing at Union Chill, said this focus on education differentiates the store from other dispensaries. “I think something that really sets us apart from a lot of dispensaries is that we really try and take the time with each customer,” he said. “There’s a lot of dispensaries you’ll go to, and there’s just a bunch of kiosks with menus that you go up and you order off the screen.”

Borish emphasized that the idea of prioritizing customer education honors the memory of Laurie McHugh, a co-founder who passed away last summer. McHugh was dedicated to educating people about cannabis and promoting safe, responsible consumption.

The Role of Prevention Resources

The overall goal of the partnership with Prevention Resources is to enhance the customer experience, ensuring consumers have a full understanding of the products offered and how to use and store them safely. Prevention Resources will provide resources and tips on proper storage methods to minimize the risk of misuse or accidental ingestion, including brochures and informational flyers in the store.

Laura Talty, project coordinator for Prevention Resources, explained the dynamic of seeking out Union Chill. “With the legalization of cannabis, we felt, from a prevention standpoint, that it’s important to get involved in partnerships with dispensaries,” she said. “Not as somebody coming in, telling them what they should do and how they should run their business, but more as a collaborator to keep customers safe and educate them on how important it is to safely store their products.”

Impact and Future Goals

Borish explained how the partnership helps the overall consumer experience and raises awareness. “We put out a lot of information on consuming different products safely and responsibly — a how-to for each product, describing the uses and benefits of the various strains,” he said.

Prevention Resources has a variety of outlets and resources involved in school and community outreach for the education of drugs and substances. Talty hopes her group can work with other dispensaries in the future. “A milestone for us would be to be involved in other dispensaries, doing the same thing that we’re doing with Union Chill,” she said.

Borish noted the positive impact of the dispensary’s commitment to educating customers. “Being education-focused is something that sets us apart from some of our competitors,” he said. “That’s something we see a lot in reviews. Someone will say they drove an hour and a half past a lot of other dispensaries to come here because we’re the place that really takes the time to work with our customers.”