On April 10, 2025, legendary musician and actor Ice-T and hashish business chief and entrepreneur Charis Burrett formally opened the doorways to The Drugs Lady Jersey Metropolis, bringing their mission-driven hashish model to the East Coast for the primary time. Positioned at 660 Tonnelle Avenue in Jersey Metropolis, the ten,000-square-foot dispensary blends trendy retail with social influence, that includes all the things from curated hashish choices and EV charging stations to future plans for on-site consumption and manufacturing. The grand opening celebration is ready for April 19, adopted by a 4/20 neighborhood occasion that guarantees stay music, native distributors, celeb friends, and Ice-T himself curating the vibes in signature type.
Ice-T has spent a long time constructing a reputation for himself in music, movie, and tv. Now, he’s bringing that very same authenticity and drive to the hashish business with the opening of The Drugs Lady in Jersey Metropolis—his first dispensary in his residence state of New Jersey. Partnering with hashish entrepreneur Charis Burrett, the brand new flagship location marks a daring East Coast growth for the California-born model and a mission-driven step towards neighborhood empowerment. In partnership with Hudson County Group Faculty (HCCC), The Drugs Lady may also provide college students hands-on expertise, internships, and direct job placement throughout the hashish sector.
We sat down with Ice-T and Charis to debate their imaginative and prescient, the challenges they confronted opening the shop, and what’s subsequent for The Drugs Lady.
Q&A with Ice-T, Co-Proprietor, The Drugs Lady Jersey Metropolis
Hashish & Tech Right now: What does it imply to you personally to open The Drugs Lady in your house state of New Jersey?
Ice-T: Opening The Drugs Lady in my residence state of New Jersey may be very private to me. That is greater than a enterprise—it’s about giving again to a neighborhood that formed who I’m. New Jersey is the place I grew up, the place my journey started, and now, it’s the place I get to carry one thing really significant.
C&T Right now: Greater than promoting hashish, you’ve stated this mission is about correcting injustice. Are you able to share extra about that imaginative and prescient?
Ice-T: This mission is about way more than promoting hashish. It’s about addressing the systemic injustices which have been tied to this plant for many years. Communities—particularly Black and Brown ones—have been disproportionately impacted by the conflict on medication. Folks have confronted incarceration, damaged households, and misplaced alternatives over one thing that’s now being legalized and monetized. That’s not proper, and it’s a accountability I take significantly.
C&T Right now: What position do you see hashish taking part in in rebuilding and empowering communities?
Ice-T: Whether or not it’s by job creation, partnering with minority-owned companies, or giving again to organizations combating for social justice, we’re dedicated to creating this business extra honest and accessible. We’ve partnered with the Final Prisoner Undertaking and employed solely from the local people. We wish to create alternatives.
C&T Right now: The grand opening weekend is developing—what can folks anticipate from the celebration?
Ice-T: I’m creating the complete vibe and curating the entire occasion in true Ice-T type. I’m bringing main NJ power and I hope everybody comes out to expertise it. We’re going to have music, meals, giveaways, present baggage, leisure. I’ll be there with Coco assembly the folks. It’s going to be a good time. We’re doing an official ribbon reducing and I’m bringing out some particular mates.
C&T Right now: As somebody who’s seen a number of industries evolve, what excites you most concerning the hashish house in the present day?
Ice-T: What’s distinctive about hashish is its capability to the touch so many areas—well being, wellness, tradition, and even social justice. It’s thrilling to see how this plant, which has been misunderstood and criminalized for therefore lengthy, is now being embraced for its therapeutic properties and its capability to carry folks collectively.
C&T Right now: What would you like clients to really feel after they stroll into The Drugs Lady for the primary time?
Ice-T: Finally, I need folks to go away feeling educated, empowered, and excited—not simply concerning the merchandise they’re buying, however concerning the neighborhood and tradition we’re constructing collectively. We’ve obtained a dope memorabilia wall I created from my private assortment. Every merchandise represents a bit of historical past, tradition, or private significance. It’s a private contact I hope our clients will respect.
C&T Right now: Are you planning to remain concerned with future areas or expansions?
Ice-T: Sure. The thought is to open many Drugs Lady dispensaries.
Q&A with Charis Burrett, Co-Founder, The Drugs Lady
C&T Right now: What impressed you to carry The Drugs Lady to Jersey Metropolis, and why was now the best time?
Charis Burrett: We’ve at all times wished to broaden The Drugs Lady to supply plant medication to extra communities. My husband Luke and I’ve been mates with Ice-T and Coco for many years, so when Ice approached us about being one of many first in NJ to open a dispensary, we knew the timing was proper. The East Coast is a big market with quite a lot of development potential, and Ice is deeply rooted in the neighborhood. However I’ll be sincere—none of us anticipated how arduous it will be. It took three years of pink tape and issues to get to opening day.
C&T Right now: The model began as a nonprofit supply service in California. How has your mission advanced?
Burrett: We began in 2015 with a nonprofit supply mannequin, and our mission has at all times been “Nothing however the Greatest.” Meaning high-quality, plant-based merchandise for individuals who want them most, and training for these interested in hashish. We opened a authorized dispensary in Bellflower, CA, and now we’re thrilled to broaden to NJ—with our eyes on the entire East Coast.
C&T Right now: What have been a few of the largest challenges in launching this flagship location?
Burrett: I might write a novel about this. Opening a dispensary is like opening a pharmacy and a financial institution beneath one roof—besides the financial institution isn’t federally protected and the federal government nonetheless desires its taxes. Add in fixed surveillance and an avalanche of laws—it’s a heavy elevate.
C&T Right now: You’ve stated the East Coast might turn into the biggest hashish market on the earth. How does The Drugs Lady match into that imaginative and prescient?
Burrett: The East Coast’s numerous shopper base aligns completely with our holistic strategy to hashish. We have fun wellness, neighborhood, and inclusivity. We prioritize thoughtfully curated merchandise, help native charities, and collaborate with like-minded manufacturers. Our aim isn’t simply to be available in the market—we wish to form it. The Drugs Lady is an area for studying, therapeutic, and connection. No judgment, no foolish questions—simply steering and help.
C&T Right now: How do you curate merchandise that meet your “Nothing however the Greatest” commonplace?
Burrett: Affordability and selection are key. Folks expertise hashish otherwise, so we provide a variety of secure, lab-tested choices. We wish folks to know that what they’re shopping for is each efficient and reliable. “Nothing however the Greatest” means what’s greatest for you.
C&T Right now: You’ve prioritized native hiring—how did you strategy staffing this location?
Burrett: Hiring from the local people is a part of our basis. No person is aware of a neighborhood just like the individuals who stay in it. That’s been our strategy in Bellflower and now in Jersey Metropolis. We’re proud to have staffed each outlets with individuals who perceive and replicate the communities they serve.
A New Chapter for Jersey Metropolis
The brand new 10,000-square-foot dispensary at 660 Tonnelle Avenue is greater than a retail house—it’s a cultural hub with future plans for consumption lounges and manufacturing. Full with EV charging stations and a devoted workforce of 15 native hires, The Drugs Lady is staking a declare within the quickly increasing East Coast market.
The grand opening celebration on April nineteenth will function an official ribbon reducing, celeb appearances, stay music, and a follow-up 4/20 occasion mixing hashish tradition and neighborhood spirit.
As Ice-T stated, “It’s about creating alternative and correcting injustice in communities that have been hit hardest.” With a mission rooted in training, entry, and fairness, The Drugs Lady is poised to set a brand new commonplace for dispensaries on the East Coast.
