Simply Pure Trenton sets dispensary opening

With the launch of Simply Pure Trenton this weekend, Tahir Johnson will become one of the first entrepreneurs with a cannabis-related conviction to own and operate a legal adult-use dispensary in New Jersey.

Scheduled to open July 27 at 1531 N. Olden Ave. in Ewing, Simply Pure Trenton aims to be the state’s premier Black and locally owned cannabis shop. Simply Pure will serve both medical patients and adult-use consumers.

The product line-up includes offerings from Cookies, Miss Grass, Garden Greens, Hamilton Farms and Wana, as well as a dedicated section for Black-owned brands, such as Mudd Brothers , Butacake, Precious and Prolific Growhouse.

The 6,000-square-foot dispensary features 20 kiosks and employs 21 employees who reside locally. The parking lot also has an EV charging station and picnic area for customers’ convenience.

Johnson, the founder and CEO of Simply Pure Trenton, told NJBIZ he is “truly excited” to finally unveil his shop.

“For over two years I've put my heart and soul into building this business and to finally open my doors in my hometown gives me a sense of accomplishment beyond what I can find the words to convey,” said Johnson, who is also president of the Minority Cannabis Business Association.

He went on to say, “This is more than a grand opening. It’s a meaningful step forward as we cultivate equity in the New Jersey market and beyond. As someone who has endured the harsh effects of cannabis prohibition multiple times throughout my life, it brings me great joy to supply my community with accessible, legal, and high-quality products. Furthermore, I'm excited to create jobs for those in my community who want to join us on this journey to creating change."

Cultivating equity

Besides providing a high-end retail setting with premium products, the well-known cannabis advocate wants to offer a positive cannabis experience through education, inclusion and social justice.

That’s why he teamed up with industry veteran Wanda James, the founder and chief executive officer of the first Black, legally licensed dispensary in the U.S., Simply Pure. Through her brand, James is committed to making a meaningful impact through social equity initiatives, creating a fair, inclusive and prosperous future for all in the cannabis industry.

Thanks to licensing agreements with the Colorado-based company, Johnson received the rights to operate a Simply Pure shop in Ewing. The new location is Simply Pure’s first in New Jersey and second nationwide.

“With his passion for his community, family and creating generational change, Tahir is the perfect person to lead Simply Pure Trenton as we expand outside of Colorado for the first time," said James. "This is the beginning of our mission as we strive to partner with more social equity licensees and help those impacted by the War on Drugs redefine the U.S. cannabis industry."

Simply Pure Trenton will officially open July 27 following a 10 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Ewing Council President Kevin Baxter. Afterward, there will be a meet-and-greet with rapper and entrepreneur Jim Jones from 4-6 p.m.

Following the grand opening, Simply Pure Trenton will be open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

On July 28, Simply Pure Trenton will host an expungement clinic by New Brunswick-based law firm The Glory Firm, a letter-writing campaign to cannabis-related organized by 40 Tons Brands, and an ice cream social sponsored by Ben & Jerry’s.

There will also be live jazz by George V Johnson Jr. and dance performances by Watson-Johnson Dance Theatre.

---

More dispensary openings:

• NJ’s social equity licensees begin opening cannabis dispensaries



• Brotherly Bud marks siblings’ South Jersey dispensary launch



• Minority- and women-owned Blossom Dispensary opens in Jersey City (photos)

Copyright © 2024 BridgeTower Media. All Rights Reserved.

For top headlines, breaking news and more, visit njbiz.com or sign up for our newsletter .