The Black, family-owned Hazy Harvest micro dispensary opened in Jersey City in the Lafayette section of the city, near Liberty State Park.
“It’s great to be honest with you, being in a neighborhood on its way up,” Founder Chris Hinson said about opening.
He is enjoying being open.
“I couldn’t imagine another place to be right now,” Hinson said.
He acknowledged their modest size as a microdispensary.
“We were able to fit a lot of amount of merchandise here,” Hinson explained.
“Every day we’re in a positive environment,” he said.
Hinson noted that his solid team of budtenders enhances the place.
“I have my mom. It’s all hands-on decks,” he joked.
“Growing up, she smoked weed when I was really young but stopped,” Hinson noted.
He explained they plan to hold social events too.
“With the way the world is, I mean I think togetherness is kind of like a remedy,” Hinson said.
Overall, it had a fun atmosphere with different creative glass bongs on shelves along with a mural and fun decorations like giant joints and a picture of the late great musician Bob Marley.
“We want to make it a place you want to be in. We’re here to sell weed. It’s fun,” Hinson explained.
He said they have music going most of the time to enjoy themselves more.
Hinson’s dog Duke made the place even more fun.
(The link to the video below works!!!)
Quality NJ Cannabis Product Menu
“We’re learning about all the products coming up,” he explained. “We want our customers to make the decision. Do you like this product? If they do, we’ll highlight it.”
“I like exploring new cannabis products and sharing them,” Hinson added.
“Originally, I’m a bong guy. I tried convection vaping,” he said about his own preferred method of consumption.
Hazy Harvest featured many cannabis product brands like OGeeze! gummies, Gron gummies, Prolific Grow House flower, flower, the Growfather, and Garden Greens, among others.
Many Brand Ambassadors Tabling at Hazy Harvest Opening
Many brand ambassadors, whose products were for sale, were tabling and enhancing the atmosphere. The ButACake edibles team, including Founder Matha Figaro,, was tabling outside with the Ayr’s Kynd Brand Ambassador outside promoting the brand with a fun tray. Inside the dispensary, some brand ambassadors were tabling from Verano, Wyld and others.
The Growfather brand, which has a deal with Little Leaf Labs based in South Jersey, was tabling in the lobby of the place. Growfather brand ambassador Kae Garner promoted their products and backstory.
The story of Growfather founder George Martarano is fascinating. His Godfather was Philadelphia Mafia Don Angelo Bruno, who was depicted in the movie The Irishman. George was sentenced to life as a large-scale underground legacy weed distributor for moving 2600 pounds in the 1980s. Former President Barack Obama pardoned him after he served 27 years.
They have expanded with many products, including moon rock-infused pre-rolls, strawberry and cappuccino gummies, and disposable vapes. Their disposable vapes count how many times you take a hit or a puff.
Garner said she was up to 296 hits.
“It does last quite a while. It’s 2 grams,” she noted.
Their infused chocolates are coming to market soon.
A whole class of Brand Ambassadors who make regular rounds of dispensaries and cannabis events has cropped up as the NJ cannabis market has grown.
Hazy Harvest Dispensary Background
“I always want a business for myself and do my own thing… to have a platform where I could express my ideas and my style,” Hinson explained.
He noted he worked in banking in securities before on Wall Street in New York City. Before that, he was in the U.S. Army as a logistics officer.
“It was a nice opportunity but it wasn’t my personality,” he added about banking.
The commute and hours just to make money took their toll.
“It’s not the way I wanted to give back to society,” Hinson added.
He is happier where he is now.
“At this time in my life it just makes sense,” he added.
Hinson noted his experience led to a lot of transferable skills that helped with a lot of the problems Jersey cannabis entrepreneurs face.
He lives in South Orange in Essex County. Hinson moved to New Jersey in 2016 after being raised in Washington State and going to college in Idaho.
Hazy Harvest won their conversion to an annual NJ dispensary license needed to open last July 2024 after an initial win of a conditional dispensary license in September 2022 from the NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJCRC).
They are among those who have gotten through the competitive cannabis process in Jersey City that includes Cannabis Control Board, Planning Board, and City Council approvals.
Hazy Harvest tabled at a Jersey City cannabis job fair last April 2024, looking for staffers.
Jersey City has been cracking down on shady smoke shops selling weed.
(Full disclosure Hazy Harvest dispensary is a Patreon supporter of Heady NJ).
