Exclusive: Ice T and Charis B’s New Jersey pharmacy gets the green light

Ice T and a Playboy Playmate, Charis B, founders of The Medicine Woman, open a pharmacy together in Jersey City, New Jersey and have cleared the first hurdle.

On July 25, The Medicine Woman New Jersey, a proposed dispensary co-owned by Ice T and Charis B, along with three other proposed dispensaries, was approved by the Jersey City Cannabis Control Board meeting. The message was posted on Instagram the next day.

The Medicine Woman Jersey City will feature a 5,000 square foot retail space showcasing local New Jersey cannabis brands, limited edition merchandise and the education needed. Medusa NJ, Oceanfront Holding and The Other Side Dispensary were also approved by the Board. The Jersey City Cannabis Control Board oversees the rules and regulations for licensing, cultivation, testing and retail, and obtaining approval is no easy task.

Charis B, or Charis Burrett, originally founded The Medicine Woman in California before eyeing the East Coast.

“It’s super, super exciting for us because New Jersey is many years behind us in California in terms of legalization,” Burrett tells the High Times as she waits for her cab. “And it’s exciting to get it into a state that it really is [motivated] and look forward to the growth of the cannabis industry in general in your state.

“And in terms of New Jersey and the fact that Ice is a resident, Jersey City and the state of New Jersey mean so much to him personally. And he’s a longtime personal friend of my husband and I. And of course this synergy and everything that comes together.”

Burrett’s pharmacy will follow the same mindset as other Medicine Woman locations, which originally began as a non-profit delivery service. “Our mindset is to bring global medicine to local areas at an affordable price for all,” says Burrett. “We believe cannabis should be available to anyone who needs it. You know, it’s a wonderful medicine. It’s been around for centuries. And we love educating people and communities, having healthy debates and, as I said, bringing global medicine to local communities at affordable prices.”

Ice T, aka Tracy Lauren Marrow, lives in Edgewater, a community near Jersey City. He is aware of the issues facing the local cannabis industry. In New Jersey, blacks are more than three times more likely to be accused of cannabis possession than whites, despite similar rates of use. In light of this, initial partnerships include The Last Prisoner Project, Jersey City Mural and Arts Program, Jersey City Employment and Training Program, Hudson County Community College, with more to be announced.

“I have dedicated my life and career to giving back to minorities and paving the way. As a native of New Jersey, I am excited by the opportunities that legalization brings to our community, and I look forward to ushering in a new era for cannabis in the state,” Ice T said in a statement. “I’ve worked with my friend Charis B, who is a cannabis authority and founder of The Medicine Woman, for over 25 years to provide a superior experience for our customers and community.”

Burrett said she is “100%” for getting out and helping people who have been jailed for marijuana – some people for life, for cannabis offenses and pure cannabis offenses is something that both the community and Jersey City needs is very important.

Burrett says she read the magazine longer than most when buying a magazine was an actual concern of drawing too much attention to oneself. “When I was 15, all I wanted was a subscription to High Times magazine,” she admits. “But I was just concerned about being on the same government list that everyone would be on. It was the 80s. And to be here today, you know, 30 to 33 years later, to talk to you. I couldn’t be more proud of where the industry has gone and kinda, you know I’m here. I am. So thank you.”

Medicine Woman Jersey City is slated to open in Fall 2022 and the team is currently accepting applications for a variety of positions. To apply send your CV to HR@themedwoman.com, they aim to find local labor with a focus on creating opportunities for ex-cannabis offenders.