Black-owned marijuana dispensary opens in New Jersey

Simply Pure Trenton, a New Jersey marijuana dispensary run entirely by black residents, opened its doors on July 27. Simply Pure was founded by avant-garde husband-and-wife team Scott Durrah and Wanda James. It specializes in healthy, alternative food products.

Although Simply Pure has just opened, James and Durrah are not any newcomers to the sport. Before the concept for the venue was born in 2010, the couple opened Apothecary of Colorado, “the first Black and veteran-owned dispensary in the country,” behind Afro Technology.

According to the corporate’s website, Durrah is devoted to creating unique products, using his skills as a former chef to supply high-quality food products in a market that’s saturated with typical stores.

Using services acquired in Denver, which include the flexibility to open a store and deliver, the couple’s vision eventually expanded to Ewing, New Jersey, just outside Trenton, the state capital.

Simply Pure is a 6,000-square-foot brick-and-mortar marijuana dispensary sponsored not only by James and Durrah, but in addition by Tahir Johnson, acting president of the Minority Cannabis Business Association.

Simply Pure Trenton followed in the footsteps of a Colorado dispensary and have become one among the primary “Black-owned social business businesses to be granted an adult-use marijuana license in the state of New Jersey.”

“This is more than just a grand opening,” Johnson said. “This is a significant step forward as we cultivate equity in the New Jersey marketplace and beyond. As someone who has lived through the harsh effects of marijuana prohibition many times in my life, it brings me great joy to provide my community with accessible, legal, high-quality products. I am also excited to create jobs for those in my community who want to join us on this journey of change.”

“With his passion for community, family and creating generational change, Tahir (Johnson) 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 seek to partner with more social equity licensees and help those impacted by the War on Drugs redefine the cannabis industry in the U.S.”

New Jersey Storefront carries many popular marijuana brands like Garden Greens, Wana, Miss Grass, and Hamilton Farms, but in accordance with the shop’s website, it also offers a big number of high-quality, black-owned brands like Mudd Brothers and Butacake.