Jersey City Mayor James Solomon came to celebrate the opening of Xena Dispensary’s long-awaited cannabis consumption lounge in McGinley Square.
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Jersey City Mayor Congratulates Xena Cannabis Lounge Opening
Xena Owner Haytham Elgawly was thrilled that it is open after a grueling, 4-year process.
“However, now that we’re here, I wouldn’t change it for the world. We have one of the 1st consumption lounges where the community can gather and share thoughts and ideologies and not be judged in place by us for us,” he explained.
“That’s exactly what we want. The whole purpose was, hey, we’re legalizing marijuana. We want businesses from Jersey City to be investing back into Jersey City, keep the money in the community,” Solomon declared.
“Absolutely!” Elgawly exclaimed.
He noted that they plan on holding many events in the future, like a Puff n’ Paint, Karaoke nights, and comedy shows.
“You did a watch party for the Egypt-Argentina game. How much did Argentina pay FIFA to get the win?” Solomon joked.
“Oh man, I don’t want to bring up old wounds!” Elgawly jokingly replied.
“You’re here for the community, right? You bring people together,” Solomon noted.
“That’s what we’re about. We’re one of the most diverse cities. It’s important we gather people and the community and give back… and make a safe space for people like us,” Elgawly noted.
Solomon complimented the decorations.
“It’s phenomenal to be here,” Elgawly told him. “I was born and raised here in Jersey City. I’m a lifelong Jersey City resident. I’m a big community advocate… went to Dickinson High School.”
The rapper Jadakiss was expected for the big party later. About 300 people were expected to come by the end of the night.
Great Vibe at Xena Dispensary Lounge
The place has great potential.
The Xena dispensary lounge has a bit of a nightclub feel. But it’s a more intimate place with comfortable leather seats. As a consumption lounge, it also has a powerful HVAC system to prevent the air from getting too thick with smoke. (See more of the place on our Instagram video!)
“It’s very intimate. We have dim lights…,” Elgawly noted. “You come kick it and make it what you will
“Nobody knows what to expect…. If you build it, they will come,” he noted about being a pioneer.
“People travel all over the world to go to Amsterdam. I’m hoping we can do the same thing for Jersey City…,” he added.
Elgawly noted they have a table reservation to prevent crowding.
Unfortunately, due to NJ State Law, they cannot sell drinks or food. So they were hesitant to provide water.
Xena Hospitality and Zeus’s Law
He noted that the name Xena in Greek means hospitality and was Zeus’s Law.
“The Greeks had rules … where the host was supposed to treat their guests a certain way, make sure you’re well fed, well showered, have place to stay…,” Elgawly explained. “As a guest, you’re supposed to reciprocate that energy…”
So, it could be perfect to market with the hit movie “The Odyssey” starring Matt Damon, which is already a source of 2027 Oscar buzz.
“We might have a screening of the Odyssey right here,” Elgawly noted.
They were initially approved by the Jersey City Council to open in September 2022 under the name Medusa, which they had to change due to copyright issues and a lawsuit.
However, he kept the Greek theme.
Along with the fun Greek decorations, there were trippy animated graphics on TVs throughout the place.
Xena Dispensary Lounge Long Time Coming
In July 2022, the Jersey City Cannabis Control Board (CCB) approved Xena opening as a dispensary.
Unfortunately, they were initially delayed since St. Peter’s University was unhappy about the idea of a cannabis lounge by their new dorm. So, they sued them. However, they conceded, and Elgawly recently reported that they are now on good terms.
He is an underground legacy to legal social equity operator who is an Egyptian American.
Elgawly noted he previously operated his Clearport sneaker and clothing store in the space for 10 years. He also has a background as a party promoter, which made him want to open a lounge.
The CCB approved Xena to open its cannabis consumption lounge in March 2026.
The Jersey City Council approved the lounge in May 2026.
In June 2026, the NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJCRC) awarded Xena Dispensary approval to open the lounge.
The dispensary initially opened its doors in April 2025.
Elgawly was among the 1st cannabis grant winners awarded by the NJ Economic Development Authority (NJ-EDA) in October 2023.
NJ Cannabis Consumption Lounges
Xena dispensary opened the 1st consumption lounge in Hudson County.
However, it is the 2nd to open in North Jersey after Urb’n, which opened its lounge this past February 2026 in Newark.
It was the 5th New Jersey cannabis consumption lounge overall after High Rollers and Sunnytien in Atlantic City, and Gynsyng in Merchantville in South Jersey had soft openings the same week in July 2025.
The lounges in Atlantic City are like glamorous nightclubs, while Gynsyng has a friend’s awesome basement feel. Urb’n has a vibe that’s in between, like a chill cafe.
