A federal judge has ruled that New Jersey’s requirement that most licensed marijuana businesses maintain labor peace agreements with unions is preempted by federal labor law, handing Curaleaf a significant victory in its challenge against the state. U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp issued the order Monday, finding that the requirement conflicts with the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). Curaleaf argued that New Jersey’s mandate improperly regulates areas Congress left to federal labor law, including union organizing, collective bargaining and the ability of employers and unions to use economic pressure during labor disputes. New Jersey is also not alone in facing challenges to cannabis labor peace mandates. A federal judge struck down Oregon’s requirement in 2025 after finding it was preempted by the NLRA and violated the First Amendment.