MMD Shop from CA in Jersey City and Plantopia in Englishtown Open Dispensaries

MMD Shop in Jersey City and Plantopia in Englistown open cannabis dispensaries. MMD Shop pictured here

The MMD Shop based in California opened in Jersey City in North Jersey, while Plantopia dispensary opened in Englishtown in Central Jersey for state-legal adult-use cannabis sales.

They are both very close to dispensaries that have already opened.

The pace of New Jersey recreational or adult-use cannabis dispensaries since last summer has continued. In about 14 months, more than 100 dispensaries have opened. More have opened than been featured in Heady NJ since the pace became so rapid.

MMD Shop of Hollywood Opens in Jersey City

The small family-run MMD Shop from Hollywood, California, opened in Jersey City recently. They recently had a busy opening with a long line and music playing.

“People are showing up in the rain. This is what it’s all about. It’s about the people getting to enjoy this experience and not having to like to hide and feel like criminals doing it,” MMD Shop co-owner Michael Ashbel said.

He noted their Grand Opening was a busy day to be running around.

Inside the MMD Shop in Jersey City, a dispensary selling adult-use recreational cannabis products.
Inside the MMD Shop in Jersey City, a dispensary selling adult-use recreational cannabis products.

They carried a mix of local and independent brands plus large corporations that are Multi-State Operators (MSOs) and some white label deals where sometimes a label is put on company products, or a small company utilizes an MSO’s resources to get their unique product to market.

Their store in Jersey City has large showcases to highlight different brands and flower, disposable and battery cart vapes, gummies, and other New Jersey cannabis products.

“I want to show people the flower,” Ashbel explained.

MMD Shop dispensary in Jersey display case of cannabis flower
MMD Shop dispensary in Jersey City with a display case of cannabis flower.

With their Hollywood High Hopes show on Hulu produced by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, they are likely to be tough competition.

Anti-Tablet, Personal Service

Ashbel said people at MMD Shop can speak to budtenders and read the displayed menu instead of studying tablets or iPads with their menu.

“I’m uncomfortable with the iPad shopping experience,” he explained.

The budtenders are eager to help people, Ashbel added.

“We’re all about the conversation. It’s all about the 1:1 shopping experience,” MMD Shop Public Affairs Director Sarah Dale said.

She said they prided themselves on their budtender knowledge to help with the right products, dosage, and onset times.

“When we started, people were scared to talk about things. So, we had to have these conversations where you made sure you got them the right products,” Dale said.

High Hopes Show

She explained that MMD Shop’s Hollywood location is right around the corner from the theater where (Jimmy Kimmel’s show is filmed. So, Kimmel and his staff had been to the store several times.

“Jimmy had been wanting to do a show about cannabis, and after he met the brothers and several staff members, his production company developed “High Hopes,” Dale explained.

“The show has been amazing! We’ve been able to connect with people throughout the country and the world- spreading positive ubiquity about cannabis,” she said. “We are proud to be the company that gives a look behind the curtain to demystify the cannabis industry for a wide audience. And giving people a few laughs along the way.”

Hollywood Dispensary Comes to Jersey City

Ashbel said they originally came to the East Coast to pursue opening an adult-use cannabis dispensary in New York City five years ago.

“The New York market has been so chaotic and the New Jersey market has been thriving and exciting. We just decided to stay here. We’re excited to be here,” he explained.

“We just came to the East Coast and felt really welcomed by the people of New Jersey,” Dale said.

She said they were lucky to find a good building in the Green Zone where cannabis companies are allowed.

“We started it with some potato chips and 50 bucks. We had our dad paint the store,” Ashbel said.

“Being from California, you understand cannabis as something that heals. MMD started as a non-profit medical collective,” Dale explained. “We were literally serving the sickest of the stick like those with AIDS and cancer.”

He said people who were severely handicapped were helped, including injured cops. That’s why it’s MMD stands for Medical Marijuana Doctor.

“We were in the medical market for way longer than we’ve been in the rec market,” Ashbel noted.

He added it was difficult to be a dispensary at that point. California dispensary raids of legal medical cannabis dispensaries and underground legacy shops were common.

“It’s not like the police departments knew the difference. If they wanted to harass you, they would,” Ashbel noted. “Once they got to understand us, they respected us.

That Little Engine That Could and Did

Since they are from California, they could be considered a small MSO. But they do not have anywhere near the size, influence or money as the large MSOs.

They don’t think of themselves as an MSO versus a small family company that grew.

In the Hulu preview for the show, they say they want to be in 32 cities.

MMD Shop was opened in West Hollywood first.

According to their Jersey City Cannabis Control Board testimony, MMD Shop in Jersey City is owned by Slava or Steve and Mishka or Michael Ashbel and a local junior partner, Shirley Capaldo.

New Jersey cannabis law mandated every company give a New Jersey resident at least 5 percent ownership.

MMD Shop got an annual license needed to open a legal New Jersey cannabis dispensary in August 2023 from the NJCRC.

MMD Shop secured their City Council resolution also needed to open on the local level in July 2022.

The MSO MMD dispensary was one of the first companies approved by the Jersey City Cannabis Control Board in May 2022.

Working with the Community

Dale said they have been working with State Senator Angela McKnight (D-31) and her non-profit Angela Cares, which helps seniors. They also partnered with Kismet of Kings on youth programs. It is led by former mayoral candidate Lewis Spears. The third is the Coalition for Food and Health Equity. They address hunger and try to improve the health of low-income areas. She said they have a Community Invest Fund where 3 non-profits get revenue.

“They’re literally our partners,” Dale argued.

She said she is for legalizing cannabis home growing.

“Me personally I think we should be able to grow,” she explained. “I believe in equitable access that’s safe. And the most equitable is to be able to manage it yourself.”

Senator McKnight has yet to state an opinion on it publicly. Her non-profit works with a few other dispensaries in the city.

Distance Problems

Unfortunately, they are literally across the street from the local veteran-owned Golden Door Dispensary near the Hudson County Courthouse complex at the edge of Journal Square in Jersey City.

Golden Door Dispensary is holding a Puff N Polish Wellness event on October 13th with a yoga and meditation event in their backyard. They will be giving out swag bags to attendees.

Dale noted it’s a common problem. She blamed Jersey City.

“There was no way for people to get a list of prospective licensees,” she said. “We had this building for three years before we even applied as we waited for them to get the application ready after they had done zoning.”

In the ordinance, they said there would be a buffer. But there were no checks and balances to make sure there was a buffer,” she added.

“No one’s happy about that. The operators aren’t happy about it. The consumers aren’t happy about it. Frankly, I don’t think the city is happy,” Dale said

The question is when a pin in a map gets defended. The Planning Board said it was when you “pulled permits.” But the Council and Cannabis Control Board said it was when once you won the resolution.

Opening Across the Street from Golden Door Dispensary

Golden Door owner Brett D’Alessandro noted they have held an event featuring the local minority woman-owned ButACake’s products. He is a local disabled veteran.

Unfortunately, D’Alessandro said they heard petty rumors he called hearsay that they reported them to the NJCRC when they distributed a flyer offering free pre-rolls when they were going to charge customers a penny.

In addition, their flyers were torn down.

“MMD would never take down anyone’s flyers or report a petty offense,” Dale said about the allegations.

“We understand how hard everyone in this industry works to be 100% compliant. The only offenses we would report would be something that endangered public safety, like allowing access to minors,” she added.

“We would have never intentionally located across the street from another dispensary. We have held our location since 2019. The city’s process made it impossible to know where other potential applicants might be located. I don’t think anyone is happy about the clustering of shops that is happening in neighborhoods throughout Jersey City,” Dale explained.

“I want to be very clear about this. We would never have located across the street from another dispensary,” she said.

Down the street from the dispensaries, across from the Hudson County Courthouse, was a shop that looked like it could sell underground cannabis. But it was closed on the Saturday Heady NJ visited.

However, the convenience store with soda and snacks had Delta-8 THC intoxicating hemp products was open. But the NJ hemp law is changing.

Plantopia Dispensary Announces Grand Opening in Englishtown

Plantopia Dispensary is pleased to announce the official grand opening of its newest retail location at 37 Main St, Englishtown, NJ.

Outside the Plantopia Dispensary in Englishtown
Outside the Plantopia Dispensary in Englishtown. Plantopia photographs courtesy of the owner.

The grand opening celebration is scheduled for Sunday, October 13th, 2024, at 1 pm. It will offer attendees an immersive experience with live music, food trucks, and exclusive promotions on Plantopia’s wide range of premium cannabis products.

The event will feature live entertainment, local food trucks, and exclusive promotions.

The event will feature local pop-up vendors offering unique products and merchandise, as well as various giveaways and exclusive discounts on Plantopia’s full range of products. Local food trucks will provide a variety of options, adding to the celebratory atmosphere. The grand opening event is free and open to the public, with opportunities for attendees to meet knowledgeable staff, learn about cannabis, and participate in community activities.

Plantopia Dispensary could establish itself as a destination for quality cannabis.

They say they want to provide a diverse selection of flowers, edibles, concentrates, and topicals to cater to both new and experienced consumers. The dispensary is committed to promoting responsible consumption and delivering exceptional customer service in a welcoming, community-oriented atmosphere.

Inside the Plantopia dispensary in Englishtown
Inside the Plantopia dispensary in Englishtown

“We are incredibly excited to open our doors and welcome the Englishtown community to Plantopia Dispensary,” said Isay Gilyadov, Chief Operating Officer of Plantopia Dispensary. “Our team has worked tirelessly to create a space where customers can access top-tier cannabis products while also receiving the education and support needed to make informed decisions. The grand opening will be an opportunity to celebrate our launch and show our commitment to the local community.”

Serving Central Jersey

Plantopia Dispensary says it is dedicated to offering high-quality cannabis products with a focus on customer education, sustainability, and community engagement. Located in Englishtown, NJ, Plantopia provides a curated selection of premium cannabis products, including flowers, edibles, concentrates, and topicals, ensuring that every customer finds a product suited to their needs.

Plantopia, like MMD Shop, is very close to other dispensaries like Scarlet Reserve (which Heady NJ is advertising full disclosure) and another dispensary.

While Jersey City is a large, progressive Democratic Party stronghold, Englishtown Mayor Daniel Francisco was recently noted as one of the most conservative Republican mayors by NJ.com.

The NJCRC sent an award letter to Plantopia Chief Operating Officer Isay Gilyadov in May 2024. He is a local entrepreneur specializing in real estate and transportation based in Montclair in North Jersey.

Plantopia is not as unique a name as you would think.

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