A New Jersey hashish retailer co-owned by actor and rapper Ice-T and a former Playboy playmate abruptly closed earlier this month, lower than a yr after a extremely publicized launch.
The failure of The Drugs Lady in Jersey Metropolis has sparked authorized motion, with the store’s landlord submitting a breach of contract lawsuit alleging unpaid payments, in line with Jersey Digs.
Regulatory challenges blamed for hashish store closure
Superstar-owned hashish manufacturers have had blended outcomes. Hashtoria, a Newark marijuana retailer co-owned by Wu-Tang Clan rapper Raekwon, has additionally closed, in line with The Bergen Document.
And Ice-T’s foray into hashish retail might have been a poor match, with the-then 67-year-old telling Forbes final yr that he doesn’t use hashish.
In a press release to NJ Advance Media, The Drugs Lady attributed its closure to regulatory challenges in New Jersey, the place gross sales have been on tempo to eclipse $1.3 billion in 2025 after surging development in each retailers and gross sales.
“Regardless of important funding, compliance and readiness to launch, the dearth of native oversight and regulatory infrastructure undermined our skill to develop and maintain operations,” the assertion mentioned.
The Drugs Lady’s April 2025 grand opening was attended by Ice-T, his spouse Coco, Treach from Naughty by Nature and actor Taylor Kinney, recognized for his function on “Chicago Hearth,” who can also be an investor, in line with reviews.
The 5,000-square-foot facility was the second location for The Drugs Lady, following a flagship retailer in Bellflower, California that’s nonetheless operational.
Lawsuit alleges Ice-T’s hashish retailer didn’t pay its hire earlier than closing
The enterprise ceased operations shortly after the brand new yr, and the property proprietor filed a lawsuit in opposition to The Drugs Lady and co-owner Charis Burrett, alleging breach of contract.
Ice-T, whose given title is Tracy Marrow, is just not named as a defendant within the case.
The lawsuit claims The Drugs Lady signed a 10-year lease in June 2024 however defaulted on hire funds beginning in December 2025.
The go well with additionally alleges unpaid payments totaling $63,597 and a $51,392 mechanic’s lien filed by Eyeson Digital Surveillance & Administration, with the owner claiming The Drugs Lady is liable for the lien beneath the lease settlement.
Superstar hashish is struggling in New Jersey
It’s the second lawsuit filed in New Jersey in opposition to a hashish enterprise linked to a celeb since September, when former Paterson Mayor Joey Torres sued an organization fronted by Whoopi Goldberg over unpaid again hire.
WhoopFam claims Torres’ workforce misled it once they claimed the property was correctly zoned and accredited for a hashish enterprise.
