The Xena cannabis dispensary held a Grand Opening in Jersey City’s McGinley Square after overcoming many hurdles, including a lawsuit from Saint Peter’s University. 
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
Jersey City Council President Joyce Watterman and Ward B Councilwoman Mira Prinz-Arey were there for the ribbon cutting, with Ward D Councilman Yousef Saleh attending shortly thereafter at 759A Bergen Ave.
“I decided to take a chance and open a dispensary, and hopefully a consumption lounge, here in Jersey City … It means a lot to be here and to have the community engaged,” Xena Dispensary owner Haytham Elgawly explained in an interview.
He also said he wanted to create a community-oriented business, noting that he went to school and played basketball nearby.
“It means a lot to be here and to have the community engaged. As a small business owner, it’s been a crazy struggle over three years to get this open,” Elgawly noted, indicating that it took about three years.
“I know this was a very long, hard arduous road for you. It is so great to be here to see this… But it so great to see this investment in the city, particularly in my ward,” Prinz-Arey remarked.
She also noted that Elgawly has given back to the community over the years, such as giving out free turkeys on Thanksgiving.
Watterman asked how he chose the name, to which Elgawly noted that “Xenia” means hospitality in Greek.
“The Greeks had a set of rules for ritualized friendship where hosted are supposed to treat guests a certain way … supposed to give you something to eat, give you a place to stay and in return, you’re supposed to be reciprocating that same energy,” he added.
To that end, references to cannabis can be found in ancient Greek myth and history.
“We have a great selection of flower, pre-rolls, edibles, a bunch of cannabis products and something for everyone,” note Elgawly, also stating that they will launch a delivery service soon.
Initially, the establishment was going to be called Medusa since she “got men stoned,” but copyright issues necessitated a name change.
The place has great Greek art and statues of some of the famous Gods, Goddesses, and heroes, as well as a bud bar with cannabis you can see and smell and a terpenes guide to appreciate different types of cannabis bud flower.
The stairs down to the lounge light up as you walk down them and is decorated in the vein of a nightclub.
Elgawly explained he already applied for consumption lounge permission this past January 20205 as a Social Equity applicant with the NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJCRC).
However, Elgawly noted that since the Jersey Cannabis Control Board (CCB) is not currently operating, the consumption lounge has been delayed.
He has been planning a lounge since at least spring 2022, when the planning board approved his dispensary and consumption lounge.
Elgawly was approved by the CCB in July 2022 after multiple meetings due to opposition from Saint Peter’s University, who sued saying he violate the rule of opening within 600 feet of a school – however, that definition only applied to K through 12.
The city council approved the dispensary in September 2022. Xena dispensary won its conversion to an annual dispensary license needed to open in June 2023 from the NJCRC. They were also approved for an ownership change by the NJCRC last April.
Furthermore, Xena was among the cannabis grant winners from the NJ Economic Development Authority (NJ EDA). NJ EDA Chief Community Development Officer Tai Cooper was on hand to promote Xena dispensary as a successful program.
Nothing more ridiculous than a grown person thinking they’re cool because they smoke weed. This is something you do in high school and then move on. Life is hard enough already; one needs to keep their wits about them.
Xena cannabis dispensary holds grand opening in Jersey City’s McGinley Square – Hudson County View
