BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Michael Matthews said he remembers being a “non-believer” in the power of cannabidiol, or CBD, at one point while working in the cannabis industry in southern California.
But now, Matthews, an Easton native, is back closer to home, holding a different perspective and offering quite a wellness spread for the people of Bethlehem.
His company, Nurse Wellness, is a regional chain with five CBD shops in New Jersey.
And now it has a flagship location selling hemp-derived products at 523 Main St. in the Christmas City.
The business had its soft opening Thursday.
Nurse Wellness had its soft opening Thursday at 523 Main St. For now, the store will be open every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. A grand opening celebration is set for April 20.
There you’ll find infused seltzers, herbal cigarettes to help wean folks off of smoking, topical options, bath bombs, pet treats, sleep gummies, edibles of the chocolate and crispy treat varieties, Delta-8 flower pre-rolls and more — all under a “best-price guarantee.”
The products are third-party lab-tested and feature a QR code on the packaging, so consumers can get a direct look at what’s going on behind what they’re buying.
“Because the point is not to get that sale, it’s to put the right product in their hands so it gives them relief,” Matthews said.
You can even try before you buy, Matthews said, as Nurse Wellness offers free samples of gummies and pain creams.
For now, the new Bethlehem store will operate from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
A grand opening is set for April 20 and will come with promotional deals and giveaways, Matthews said.
A Nurse Wellness micro-location known as "Jolly's" operates at 1301 Linden Street in Bethlehem. Though it operates under different ownership than the flagship Main Street location, you'll still find most of the Nurse Wellness product line for sale there.
Another location in Easton known as "Chubby's" will have its opening the same day at 154 W. Saint Joseph St.
There’s even a Nurse Wellness micro-location in Bethlehem known as “Jolly’s” currently operating under separate ownership, but Matthews said he's still "heavily involved" with the store.
Jolly's is located at 1301 Linden St.
"We call it a micro-location because it's small but has most of the product line, all the top sellers, same great customer service and employee knowledge," Matthews said.
"Plus it's a great spot to quickly stop and grab something."
Quality products, quality staff
Matthews moved back to the area in December 2018, and the first Nurse Wellness location went up in the Cherry Hill Mall in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, as a kiosk.
“Throughout the last five years here, [we’ve] developed this product line where we’ve worked with about 15 different partners from maybe 10 or 11 states, and we really cherry-pick the best products from all over the country,” Matthews said.
“Throughout the last five years here, [we’ve] developed this product line where we’ve worked with about 15 different partners from maybe 10 or 11 states, and we really cherry-pick the best products from all over the country.”Nurse Wellness CEO Michael Matthews
“My uncle doesn’t make any of this stuff in the basement; we’re literally just trying to carry the highest quality products.”
The staff is handily prepared for the task at hand, Matthews said, and also goes through a course with Cannabis Training University.
“It’s very extensive because while we’re not allowed to give medical advice, people are coming in here that can’t sleep, they’re in extreme pain, depression, anxiety — all that sphere of issues,” he said.
“And yet it’s just incredible that this stuff works. I’m kind of in amazement of it myself.”
Community wellness
The store’s selection centers around hemp-derived products.
But Matthews said his team is looking into, at some point, offering more options in the realm of legal mushrooms and herbs and spices.
He said Nurse Wellness also is trying to build a network of doctors and pharmacists in case the store doesn’t have the right product at that time for someone’s particular situation or need.
“People are taking health more seriously than ever right now. … We want to be very engaged in this community, just like we are in Cherry Hill where we have our five initial stores.”Nurse Wellness CEO Michael Matthews
“People are taking health more seriously than ever right now,” Matthews said.
“We want to be very engaged in this community, just like we are in Cherry Hill where we have our five initial stores.”
Recommendations from staff
Manager Jack Arnold recommended those with trouble sleeping should look for cannabinol, or CBN, in their line of products.
That cannabinoid is known to offer a mellow and relaxing experience without the next-morning grogginess that some experience using melatonin, Arnold said.
Mike Patrickella, another manager, said those interested in trying CBD, especially for wellness reasons, should know that it’s a day-by-day process to get the body acquainted with the full range of potential benefits.
Matthews said he enjoys the Cycling Frog brand of infused seltzers, which are water-soluble and take only a few minutes to feel the effects.
They all said the experience you want lies in the cannabinoid and terpene profiles of the products — think effects on the body versus smell and taste, respectively.
In any case, the “Hemp Experts” at Nurse Wellness can help you find just what you need, Matthews said.
Legal landscape
Since hemp is considered legal on a federal level with the passing of the Farm Bill in 2018, Nurse Wellness, including the two locations in Bethlehem, is operating within the boundaries of the law.
Both marijuana and hemp are members of the cannabis plant species, Matthews said.
It’s all about the plant's respective levels of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or what some know as THC. This is the primary psychoactive compound in the plant, known for its “high.”
Marijuana has higher THC and lower CBD levels, though it’s sometimes confused to be the same as hemp.
As the plants are grown and cut down for testing, the magic number is 0.3% THC. Marijuana will have more than that, while hemp will have less.
Since hemp is considered legal on a federal level with the passing of the Farm Bill in 2018, the two Nurse Wellness locations in Bethlehem are operating within the boundaries of the law.
That’s the current federal classification on what’s considered a Schedule I substance in the realm of marijuana, at least. Pennsylvania hasn’t legalized pot for recreational use, as is the case in New Jersey.
Of course, those in the Keystone State with a medical marijuana card have the green light to buy THC-dominant products from an officially licensed dispensary.
But hemp-derived offerings and the like at the new Main Street Nurse Wellness won’t require proof any official medical need from the customer — you only have to be 21 or older to take part.
You’ll be asked to show some form of ID at time of purchase — a driver’s license, birth certificate, green card or even foreign forms of identification — to confirm your age.
May expand again at some point
About 10 jobs are expected to come with the new Bethlehem store’s initial impact, and those interested can send resumes to Hello@NurseWellness.com
Everyone on staff offers advice to shoppers, product knowledge and customer service “at a high level,” Matthews said.
Across its stores, Nurse Wellness currently employs 35 people.
