On April 19, 2025, rapper and actor Ice-T celebrated the grand opening of The Medicine Woman, a cannabis dispensary co-owned with entrepreneur Charis Burrett, at 660 Tonnelle Avenue. The event marks a major step forward for the Garden State’s legal cannabis industry and reflects a growing focus on community-driven business models within the sector.
The Medicine Woman, a 5,000-square-foot dispensary, is the second location for the brand, which originated in California. Offering a wide selection of cannabis products for both recreational and medical users, the dispensary emphasizes education, wellness, and social equity. The grand opening featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony, live music, and appearances from Ice-T’s wife Coco Austin, their daughter Chanel Nicole, and special guests including rapper Treach of Naughty by Nature and actor Taylor Kinney, who is also an investor in the business.
For Ice-T, a Newark native, the opening was personal. “This isn’t just a grand opening; it’s a movement,” he said during the celebration. “I’m proud to be part of something that’s changing the conversation around cannabis, giving people access to products they can trust and providing opportunities to the New Jersey community.”
Charis Burrett, who co-founded the original Medicine Woman dispensary in California with her husband Luke, spoke about the brand’s evolution and the decision to expand into New Jersey. “It just feels really good to be welcomed to Jersey and bring the culture of Medicine Woman, a little California culture, to the East Coast,” she said.
The dispensary’s leadership also brings a deeply personal commitment to cannabis justice. Luke Burrett shared that his father spent eight years incarcerated on cannabis-related charges, a factor that has shaped the company’s dedication to social justice and reform.
The Medicine Woman is actively partnering with local organizations, including Hudson County Community College and the Last Prisoner Project, to promote hiring practices that prioritize residents and individuals impacted by the criminalization of cannabis. Jersey City Council President Joyce Watterman, who participated in the ribbon-cutting, applauded the dispensary’s inclusive vision. “It’s good when other people see the value of our local people and come and want to partner with us,” she noted.
As the 17th dispensary to open in Jersey City, The Medicine Woman enters a growing and competitive cannabis market. However, its distinctive blend of celebrity influence, social equity focus, and community partnerships sets it apart. With Ice-T’s visibility and the Burretts’ industry experience, the dispensary positions itself as more than just another retail outlet—it aims to be a community hub and a symbol of cannabis normalization in New Jersey.