Ice-T’s New Jersey marijuana store closes amid lawsuit, celebrity cannabis struggles

OG article by MJBizDaily Staff

January 19, 2026

A New Jersey cannabis dispensary co-owned by rapper/actor Ice-T (Tracy Marrow) and Charis Burrett, branded The Medicine Woman, shut down abruptly in early January, under a year after its April 2025 Jersey City opening. The 5,000-square-foot store was the brand's second location after its ongoing California flagship. The company cited regulatory hurdles and inadequate local oversight in New Jersey as key factors undermining growth, despite heavy investment and compliance efforts. New Jersey's cannabis sales exceeded $1.3 billion projections for 2025 amid retailer expansion. Closure triggered a landlord lawsuit alleging breach of contract, including unpaid rent from December 2025 and $63,597 in arrears, plus a $51,392 mechanic’s lien from surveillance provider Eyeson Digital. The 10-year lease was signed in June 2024; Ice-T is not named in the suit. Celebrity cannabis ventures in the state face ongoing challenges—Raekwon's Hashtoria in Newark also closed recently. This marks the second lawsuit against a celebrity-linked operation since September, following claims against Whoopi Goldberg’s WhoopFam over unpaid rent and alleged misrepresentation on zoning/approvals. Ice-T previously told Forbes he does not personally use cannabis, raising questions about alignment in such endorsements. These struggles highlight broader difficulties for high-profile entrants in competitive, regulated markets.