Xena dispensary officially opens, marking Jersey City’s first cannabis lounge

Xena Owner Haytham Elgawly was thrilled to see the light at the end of the tunnel after a grueling process that spanned for four years.

“However, now that we’re here, I wouldn’t change it for the world. We have one of the first consumption lounges where the community can gather and share thoughts and ideologies and not be judged in a 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,’” Mayor James Solomon declared.

“Absolutely!” Elgawly exclaimed.

He noted that they plan on holding many events in the future, like a Puff and 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 replied with an equally humorous tone.

“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 replied.

Solomon also complimented the decor of the cannabis establishment.

“It’s phenomenal to be here.  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,” Elgawly added.

Councilwoman at-Large Mamta Singh and Jersey City Economic Development Corporation (JCEDC) Executive Director Mira Prinz-Arey, a former Ward B councilwoman, were also on hand to celebrate.

Rapper Jadakiss was advertised as a guest budtender as part of the celebration, with Elgawly expecting about 300 people to come by before closing time.

The Xena dispensary lounge has a bit of a nightclub feel, however, it’s a more intimate space 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.

The CCB approved Xena to open its cannabis consumption lounge in March 2026 before the City Council approved the lounge in May of this year.

The following month, the New Jerset 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 first cannabis grant winners awarded by the NJ Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) in October 2023.

Xena dispensary opened the 1st consumption lounge in Hudson County, the second in north Jersey after Urb’n, which opened in Newark in February.

It was the fifth New Jersey cannabis consumption lounge to pen 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.