The Jersey City Cannabis Control Board (CCB) withdrew support for Tyson 2.0 Deka Cannabis Decades dispensary while approving their first manufacturer to operate in the city.

In addition, they re-approved 6 dispensaries set to open within the next 3 to 6 months, 5-0 with Vice Chair Patrick Patel and Commissioner Micheline Grace- Lewis absent.

Tyson 2.0 Deka Decades Dispensary Not Opening

Jersey City Commerce Department Director Maynard Woodson announced that “Tyson 2.0 FKA Deka Cannabis, Decades Dispensary” at 404 Central Ave wasn’t planning on opening. He said they had been in touch with them since their initial CCB approval needed to be renewed.

No company representative was present at the meeting.

Woodson confirmed that Tyson’name was not on the application. However, Tyson 2.0 is his notable cannabis product brand name, which sells products like infused gummies shaped like ears in the wake of his infamous fight with Evander Holyfield, where he bit his ear.

Mike Tyson first got into the New Jersey cannabis market through a type of deal with the large Multi-State Operator (MSO) TerrAscend.

In addition, he is known to have strong links to Jersey City, specifically the Ringside and Mana Diner owner Mario Costa, who keeps his pigeons there.

Initially, it was known as Deka or Decades and was owned by Neel and Bakula Patel when they were first approved by the CCB in June 2022. They participated in a cannabis job fair held by Jersey City in April 2024.

New Manufacturer Top Blendz OKed

Notably, Top Blendz LLC wanted to open a cannabis manufacturing company at 550-560 Tonnelle Ave.

They explained it would be a smaller site around 2,000 square feet that would primarily manufacture pre-rolls.

CCB Chair Jeffrey Kaplowitz asked about their timeline, and they said it was likely they would open next year.

“I’m pretty new to this. That’s why I have Jeff as a consultant,” owner Ellis Long explained.

“What made you decide to go into this?” Kaplowitz asked.

“I have a friend in New York who owns a dispensary … He kind of jumped the gun on me… He told me manufacturing was the way to go,” Long explained.

“…You live in Hackensack. What’s your tie to Jersey City?” Commissioner Daniela Pepe asked.

“I don’t have anyone who lives here or anything,” Long replied.

He noted he’s a Field Engineer for AT&T.

They were approved unanimously by the CCB 5-0, with Patel and Grace- Lewis absent.

Re-approving Upcoming Jersey City Dispensaries

In addition, the CCB also unanimously re-approved several dispensaries which have not opened yet. However, they all seemed ready to do so within 3 to 6 months.

Notably, VT420, LLC at 840 Communipaw Ave said they’re opening on October 25th, which was the soonest.

Kreme of The Pot at 41 Marin Blvd said they’ll open in November or December.

Greener on Grove at 608 Grove Street said they can open in a month to 6 weeks.

Cannaboutique by Greenhouse owner Julissa Bonilla explained she hoped to open by next spring 2027 at 125 Columbus Street downtown. She explained she had great problems with permits and construction for two years.

Bonilla added she wanted to open a lounge. CCB attorney Ron Mondello noted that would be a separate application before they were re-approved 5-0 with Patel and Grace-Lewis absent.

Kushmart Jersey at 1521 JFK Blvd also said they’re ready to open soon. They already have a chain open in other states.

High Key 201 at 95 Monticello Ave had the least certain of the six dispensaries they approved. Owner Craig Davila explained he is a local social equity applicant who wanted to open a consumption lounge in Ward F with his dispensary.

He noted he is waiting to receive part of the grant money he won from the NJ Economic Development Authority (NJ-EDA), which should help him open.

“If another applicant has their class 5 dispensary open and they apply for a lounge, this board is liable to support them,” Mondello noted.

“When will you open up the retail part?” Kaplowitz asked.

Davila said they will apply for a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) to open by mid-October, which should speed up the process.

Kaplowitz encouraged him to apply for a lounge as soon as he opened, and he was re-approved 5-0 with Patel and Grace-Lewis absent.

Woodson noted there are 26 dispensaries currently open in Jersey City.