A New Jersey cannabis dispensary co-owned by actor and rapper Ice-T has closed less than a year after its high-profile launch, highlighting continued challenges facing celebrity-backed marijuana ventures in the state.
The store, The Medicine Woman, located in Jersey City, shut down earlier this month. Following the closure, the property owner filed a breach of contract lawsuit alleging unpaid rent and other outstanding bills, according to a report by Jersey Digs.
The Jersey City location was a 5,000-square-foot facility and marked the brand’s second retail outlet, following its flagship store in Bellflower, California, which remains operational.
Store Closure Attributed to Regulatory Challenges
In a statement provided to NJ Advance Media, The Medicine Woman cited regulatory obstacles as a key factor behind the decision to close the New Jersey location. The company said that despite substantial investment and preparation, limitations in local oversight and regulatory infrastructure affected its ability to operate sustainably.
New Jersey’s cannabis market has expanded rapidly, with statewide marijuana sales on track to exceed $1.3 billion in 2025, driven by growth in both retail locations and consumer demand.
Celebrity-backed cannabis businesses in the state have faced mixed results. Hashtoria, a Newark dispensary co-owned by Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon, has also closed, according to The Bergen Record.
High-Profile Launch Followed by Abrupt Exit
The Medicine Woman’s Jersey City dispensary opened in April 2025 with a widely publicized event attended by Ice-T, his wife Coco, rapper Treach of Naughty by Nature, and actor Taylor Kinney, an investor in the business. The store ceased operations shortly after the start of the new year.
Ice-T, whose legal name is Tracy Marrow, has previously stated that he does not personally use cannabis. He is not named as a defendant in the legal action connected to the store’s closure.
Lawsuit Details
According to court filings, the landlord alleges that The Medicine Woman signed a 10-year lease in June 2024 but failed to make rent payments beginning in December 2025. The lawsuit claims unpaid bills totaling $63,597, along with a $51,392 mechanic’s lien filed by Eyeson Digital Surveillance & Management. The landlord asserts that responsibility for the lien falls to The Medicine Woman under the terms of the lease.
The lawsuit names the business and co-owner Charis Burrett as defendants.
Broader Challenges for Celebrity Cannabis Ventures
The closure and legal dispute add to a growing list of difficulties faced by celebrity-affiliated cannabis businesses in New Jersey. In September, former Paterson Mayor Joey Torres filed a lawsuit against a cannabis company associated with Whoopi Goldberg, alleging unpaid back rent.
That company, WhoopFam, has stated that it was misled about zoning and regulatory approvals for the property intended for cannabis operations.
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