Rohan Marley Applies to Open Dispensary

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]R[/dropcap]ohan Marley, son of the legendary performer Bob Marley, announced on Aug. 29 that he is partnering with Lightshade to apply to open a dispensary in Montclair, New Jersey. He’s the latest Marley sibling to seriously invest in a cannabis-related project.

In a recent announcement, five cultivation, four vertically integrated and 15 retail dispensary licenses will be granted to applicants across New Jersey. Marley is among the first wave of applicants to attempt to secure a license in order to begin business.

Most of the Marley family was raised under the Rastafarian faith which observes ital cooking, a diet free of additives and salt, and the practice is commonly associated with cannabis and a vegan lifestyle. “In Jamaica, my family has long been advocating about the medicinal benefits of marijuana and its many pathways to treatment well before its medical and recreational legalization into the U.S.,” Rohan Marley said in a press release.

Marley and Lightshade joined a venture partnership with retired OB-GYN Dr. Anthony Caggiano, Attorney John Zidziunas and Erik Caggiano, who managed cannabis manufacturing operations. “Industry experts are looking east, not west, when it comes to expansion opportunities, and many are anxious to see how this plays out with legislation,” Zidziunas said. “Most believe it is inevitable New Jersey joins the list of legal recreational states.”

Marley raised five children he has with Lauryn Hill in New Jersey, but the power couple divorced in 2011 after 15 years of marriage. Rohan’s siblings Cedella, Stephen and Damian have entered the legal cannabis industry, while his oldest brother Ziggy has lightly invested in hemp seed snacks. 

One of the ways that medical cannabis can help New Jersey is by providing an alternative to traditional painkillers—a selling point that Marley and his colleagues are highlighting. “I am pleased with New Jersey’s progress and recognition of marijuana as an alternative treatment to heroin and answer to New Jersey’s opioid crisis,” Caggiano said. “More in-depth studies need to be conducted to give the public the information they need to feel confident about cannabis’ positive effects.”