Rapper ‘Ice T’ Approved to Open Recreational Cannabis Dispensary in Jersey City

By: Ellen Cans

Actor and rapper Ice T and his business partner received approval from Jersey City’s Cannabis Control Board to open a recreational cannabis dispensary in Jersey City.

As reported by the NY Post, Ice T, 64, is partnering up with former Playboy model Charis B, who has since founded cannabis brand The Medicine Woman.  They have plans to open a 5,000-square-foot retail space later this year.  The retail store will be located in Jersey City on Tonnelle Avenue, which is just a few miles away from Midtown Manhattan.

“I’ve dedicated my life and career to giving back and paving the way for minorities. As a New Jersey native, I’m excited for the opportunity legalization offers our community, and I look forward to ushering in a new era for cannabis in the state,” Ice-T said in a news release.   “I’ve partnered with my friend of over 25 years, Charis B who is an authority in cannabis and founder of The Medicine Woman to ensure a premium experience for our customers and community.”

The NJ native, born as Tracy Lauren Marrow in Newark, is best known for his role in “Law & Order”, playing the part of Detective Odafin Tutruola for over two decades.  Though he now resides in in Edgewater, NJ, he told the board that Jersey City would be a better spot for the business.  “There’s only one street there in Edgewater, that’s why I kind of voided them out. I said ‘Let’s go to Jersey City, my neighbor.’ I’m here every night and going out, I love Jersey City,” Ice-T said during the meeting last Monday.  He said the business has plans to give back to non-profit organizations, including the Last Prisoner Project, the Madeline Fiadini LoRe Foundation for Cancer Prevention and the Jersey City Mural and Arts Program, as per NJ.com.  “My brand is honesty, nobody starts a business thinking about social impact, they start a business because it’s lucrative, that’s why,” Ice-T told the board.  “But it’s lucrative enough to give back. It’s lucrative enough that you should want to help the community in all those things.”

Charis Burrett, Ice-T’s business partner already has her feet wet in the cannabis business, having first opened Medicine Woman in California in 2019, with her husband Luke Burrett.  She told the board she wants to provide people with a safe place to buy legal weed. “The Medicine Woman started as a California non-profit delivery service, giving back to our community has and will always be a priority to us,” Charis B said in a statement. “We are passionately devoted to providing access to safe, affordable and quality plant medicinal remedies.”

The Medicine Woman in Jersey City has several job openings available. The company said it will “focus on providing opportunities for former cannabis offenders” in the area.