Ice-T’s New Jersey Cannabis Store Shuts Down Amid Lawsuit and Regulatory Hurdles
Ice-T’s Jersey City cannabis dispensary has closed less than a year after opening, with a lawsuit alleging unpaid rent and regulatory challenges cited as key factors in the store’s abrupt shutdown
Key Points
- 1The Medicine Woman cannabis store in Jersey City, co-owned by Ice-T, closed less than a year after opening
- 2A lawsuit has been filed by the landlord alleging unpaid rent, $63,597 in bills, and a $51,392 mechanic's lien
- 3The company cited regulatory challenges in New Jersey as a primary reason for closure, despite significant investment
- 4Other celebrity cannabis ventures in New Jersey, such as Hashtoria, have also recently closed
The Medicine Woman, a cannabis dispensary in Jersey City co-owned by rapper and actor Ice-T and a former Playboy playmate, has abruptly closed its doors less than a year after its much-publicized launch. This closure marks another setback for celebrity-backed cannabis ventures in New Jersey, a market that has seen rapid growth but also significant operational challenges. The store, which opened in April 2025 and was the second location for the brand after its California flagship, had drawn considerable media attention and celebrity appearances at its grand opening, including Ice-T, his wife Coco, and actor Taylor Kinney
Legal troubles quickly followed the closure, as the property owner filed a breach of contract lawsuit against The Medicine Woman and co-owner Charis Burrett, alleging unpaid rent and bills. According to the landlord, the business defaulted on its lease payments starting in December 2025, despite signing a ten-year lease just a year earlier. The lawsuit also claims that The Medicine Woman owes $63,597 in unpaid bills and is responsible for a $51,392 mechanic’s lien related to security system work. Notably, Ice-T, whose legal name is Tracy Marrow, is not named as a defendant in the suit
In a statement to NJ Advance Media, representatives for The Medicine Woman placed the blame for the closure squarely on regulatory difficulties in New Jersey’s cannabis market. "Despite significant investment, compliance and readiness to launch, the lack of local oversight and regulatory infrastructure undermined our ability to grow and sustain operations," the company stated. The regulatory environment in New Jersey has been a common pain point for cannabis entrepreneurs, even as statewide sales are projected to surpass $1.3 billion in 2025
The struggles of The Medicine Woman highlight a broader trend of celebrity cannabis ventures facing headwinds in New Jersey. Hashtoria, a Newark dispensary co-owned by Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon, also recently shuttered its doors. Additionally, this is the second recent lawsuit involving a celebrity-affiliated cannabis business in the state, following legal action in September against a company fronted by Whoopi Goldberg. These setbacks point to the challenges of translating celebrity influence into sustained retail success amid complex regulations and intense competition
While the flagship Medicine Woman store in Bellflower, California, remains operational, the abrupt closure of its New Jersey counterpart underscores the volatility of the cannabis retail sector—even for high-profile investors. The store’s closure and subsequent lawsuit are likely to prompt other celebrity brands to carefully assess regulatory and operational risks before expanding. From the OG Lab newsroom perspective, this episode serves as a cautionary tale about the unique hurdles facing celebrity cannabis ventures in emerging markets, signaling that name recognition alone is no guarantee of business survival in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape
