Ice-T, the iconic rapper and actor, is making a powerful move into the cannabis industry with the opening of The Medicine Woman dispensary at 660 Tonnelle Avenue in Jersey City, New Jersey. The grand opening celebrations are scheduled for April 19-20, 2025, though eager customers have already begun visiting since its soft launch in late March. This business endeavor represents a significant expansion for Ice-T, who has collaborated with cannabis industry pioneer Charis B, founder of The Medicine Woman brand, and fellow New Jersey native Treach from Naughty By Nature.
Beyond profit: Creating community impact
The Medicine Woman isn’t merely another celebrity cannabis venture. For Ice-T, this dispensary embodies a deeper mission focused on economic empowerment and social justice. The establishment aims to address historical injustices in communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition and the war on drugs. This approach aligns with growing industry awareness about responsibility toward communities that bore the brunt of cannabis criminalization.
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Ice-T keeps it local
True to its community-centered philosophy, The Medicine Woman has hired 15 employees exclusively from the Jersey City area. This local employment strategy demonstrates Ice-T’s commitment to investing in the community where his new business operates.
The dispensary’s founder, Charis Burrett, shares Ice-T’s enthusiasm for the project: Burrett expressed enthusiasm about finally opening The Medicine Woman Jersey City after years of dedicated work. She believes the East Coast will become the world’s largest cannabis market and looks forward to providing the community with direct and safe access to the finest global plant medicines.
Educational partnerships and career pathways
The Medicine Woman has established a significant educational partnership with Hudson County Community College (HCCC). This collaboration will create internships and job placement opportunities for students interested in cannabis industry careers. This forward-thinking initiative helps ensure local residents can access long-term employment in this rapidly expanding sector.
Advocacy through action
Beyond employment and education, the dispensary demonstrates its commitment to justice reform through an alliance with the Last Prisoner Project. This national nonprofit organization works to assist individuals convicted of nonviolent cannabis offenses, providing legal support, reentry programs, and advocacy for policy reform. By supporting this cause, The Medicine Woman acknowledges the painful history of cannabis criminalization while working toward a more equitable future. This partnership represents an increasingly common approach among socially conscious cannabis businesses seeking to address historical inequities associated with prohibition.
Building a cannabis business with purpose
The Medicine Woman’s Jersey City location represents more than just Ice-T’s business diversification. It symbolizes a growing movement toward equity within the cannabis industry. As legalization expands across states, creating inclusive opportunities for those affected by past cannabis enforcement policies becomes increasingly important.
The dispensary’s strategic location on Tonnelle Avenue places it in a prime position to serve both local residents and visitors to the area. New Jersey’s cannabis market has been rapidly developing since legalization, and Ice-T’s entry into this space brings both celebrity appeal and a thoughtful business model focused on sustainable growth and community integration.
Setting a new standard
As Ice-T continues to expand his influence beyond music and acting, this latest enterprise serves as a model for how celebrities can leverage their platforms for meaningful community change. The Medicine Woman aims to become a cornerstone of economic opportunity in Jersey City, helping shape a more inclusive vision for the cannabis market’s future.
The soft opening on March 27 already generated significant local interest, with Ice-T personally inviting fans and community members through social media. Many early visitors noted the dispensary’s welcoming atmosphere and knowledgeable staff, crucial elements for establishing credibility in the competitive cannabis market. As the official grand opening approaches, the dispensary is positioned to become a significant presence in New Jersey’s emerging cannabis landscape, potentially setting standards for celebrity-backed ventures in the industry.
With its focus on community employment, educational advancement, and justice reform, Ice-T’s The Medicine Woman dispensary represents a holistic approach to cannabis entrepreneurship—one that recognizes both business opportunity and social responsibility. This balance may well define the most successful and sustainable models for cannabis retail as the industry continues to evolve and mature.
