When Ramez Maxemous, a.k.a. Max, tells you he’s a pharmacist turned dispensary owner, you might raise an eyebrow. After all, it’s not every day someone trades prescription pads for pre-rolls.

But for Max, who spent two decades behind the counter of a Newark pharmacy, the shift wasn’t about chasing a trend — it was about helping people heal.

“I’d rather dispense cannabis than prescription medication,” he says without hesitation. In his current role, he helps seniors find real relief and has seen patients taper off opioids, antidepressants, and anxiety meds.

“I see a lot less harm and a lot more benefit from the plant versus any medication.”

A pharmacist and a pothead

Max laughs when asked about his dual identity as a lifelong cannabis consumer and licensed healthcare professional. “We have a lot of fun with that,” he admits.

“It’s always education first — but if you mix in some humor, it sticks longer. That’s how we connect.”

That blend of credibility and relatability has helped URB’N Dispensary stand out in Newark since opening in March 2023. The road there wasn’t easy. The license application, first submitted in 2019, dragged through lawsuits, delays, and predatory landlords before finally landing Max a prime location near Newark Airport and the Prudential Center.

“I see a lot less harm and a lot more benefit from the plant versus any medication.”

Ramez Maxemous, Co-Owner of URB’N Dispensary

“It was a very tough process,” he recalls. “But in the end, all the pieces fit. No complaints — just lessons.”

The menu at URB’N reflects Max’s dual perspective: part pharmacist, part cannabis connoisseur.

“I shop like a customer,” he says. “I want variety, I want freshness, I want fair pricing. THC isn’t everything — flavor and effect matter more.”

That philosophy means URB’N stocks everything from low-dose edibles for medical patients to high-potency flower for experienced consumers.

Popular picks include products from Niche, EV Cultivators, and Neptune’s Garden. Max is quick to shout out local and minority-owned partners: “Black-owned, woman-owned, Jersey-grown — we’ll support them all.”

Building trust in Newark

As the first independent cannabis business to open in North Jersey, URB’N carried the weight of changing community perception. Early opposition was fierce. Some residents were fine with cannabis — just not in their backyard.

But Max and his family have endeared themselves by leaning into community involvement. “We’ve been doing every turkey drive, every toy giveaway, every community event,” he says. “Over time, people saw we weren’t just here to sell weed. We’re here to be a trusted partner.”

A family business, an American dream

For Max and his wife, who co-own URB’N, the journey has always been personal. Both are children of immigrants, both built careers in pharmacy, and both saw cannabis as a way to create something different in their own city.

But being a small, minority-owned business hasn’t made the climb easy.

“Access to money is almost nonexistent. Investors don’t line up for people like us,” Max says. “And when we started, there was no one to guide us. We figured it out on our own.”

That’s why he now makes a point of mentoring others. “Anyone who calls us looking to open, we give advice for free. We didn’t get that when we started — but if we can make someone else’s path easier, we will.”

Competing in a crowded market

As more dispensaries move into Newark, competition is inevitable, but Max isn’t worried about being one of many. Max sees URB’N’s edge in its authenticity, expertise, and education-first approach. “We always have a pharmacist on duty. We keep it professional but fun.”

Adding to the fun, URB’N will soon be home to one of New Jersey’s first licensed consumption lounges — a 2,000-square-foot space designed to feel less like a venue and more like a living room. With room for about 100 people, the lounge will host comedy shows, cultural events, and one-on-one education sessions.

“We don’t just want a crowded room. We want people to actually learn something.”

Ramez Maxemous, Co-Owner of URB’N Dispensary

“We don’t just want a crowded room,” Max explains. “We want people to actually learn something — how to dab, how to use concentrates, whatever they’re curious about. And we’ll have food from local spots like Snack Mania and Afro Taco delivered right to your table. That’s the kind of experience people will come back for.”

Blending the rigor of a pharmacist with the perspective of a lifelong consumer, Max has created a space that feels both professional and personal, rooted in the community yet open to anyone curious about the plant.

As the market around him gets more crowded, Max is betting that trust, education, and a little humor will go further than hype.

Looking for cannabis products and a community hub in Newark? Shop the URB’N Dispensary menu on Leafly for pickup or delivery, find daily deals, and stock up on all your favorites today.

Housewives of Potomac dubbed Eddie Osefo “Happy Eddie”—a nickname that stuck. What began as a playful TV moment soon evolved into a powerful brand name and mission. Today, Happy Eddie is a multi-state Black-owned cannabis lifestyle brand bringing authentic representation, thoughtful product development, and a justice-oriented ethos to the heart of the industry.

Launched in September 2023, Happy Eddie hit the market just as Maryland’s adult-use cannabis market opened to recreational consumers. While Osefo had always planned to get involved in the cannabis space—whether through investment, licensing, or advocacy—the timing aligned perfectly with Maryland’s regulatory shift and his own growing public profile.

Happy Eddie is a multi-state Black-owned cannabis lifestyle brand bringing authentic representation, thoughtful product development, and a justice-oriented ethos to the heart of the industry.

“I always knew when Maryland legalized marijuana for recreational use, I was going to get involved,” Osefo says. “The idea of creating a lifestyle brand really took shape after the viral moment on RHOP, and the name just resonated. The community loved it, and that sealed the deal.”

Since then, Happy Eddie has expanded into Missouri and New Jersey, growing a brand that feels right at home in local dispensaries and resonates with everyday consumers. But navigating the cannabis space as a new business owner—especially in an industry packed with regulations and gatekeeping—is anything but easy.

“You bet on yourself and hope that everything else takes care of itself,” Osefo explains. “The highs are high and the lows are low, but I stuck with it. You have to stay on top of the rules and regulations to stay compliant, and keep your ear to the street to know what will resonate.”

Cannabis for the culture

“Our journey was no different than any other minority-owned business. When you enter rooms in the cannabis industry, you quickly realize they don’t reflect people who look like you—or the communities most impacted by the War on Drugs. That’s a problem.”

Eddie Osefo, Happy Eddie Founder & CEO

That connection to community—both culturally and geographically—is what sets Happy Eddie apart. Osefo’s mission goes far beyond THC percentages or trendy packaging. The brand positions itself as a space for everyday professionals, soccer moms, canna-curious newcomers, and longtime connoisseurs alike. In particular, Happy Eddie aims to provide a platform for people historically shut out of the cannabis industry due to systemic barriers and the ongoing impact of the War on Drugs.

“Our journey was no different than any other minority-owned business,” he says. “When you enter rooms in the cannabis industry, you quickly realize they don’t reflect people who look like you—or the communities most impacted by the War on Drugs. That’s a problem.”

With a legal background and deep understanding of policy, Osefo is determined to change that. Happy Eddie works closely with advocacy organizations like the Last Prisoner Project (LPP), helping to raise funds and awareness for cannabis prisoners and their families. The brand has implemented in-store fundraising efforts and uses its growing platform to highlight reform and social impact.

“We support organizations that drive outreach, education, and policy reform,” says Osefo. “With my legal background, I have a passion for criminal justice reform and eliminating systemic barriers. We want to provide minority entrepreneurs with meaningful opportunities in this space.”

Purpose beyond products

That same intentionality is evident in the brand’s product line. Happy Eddie’s best-seller, the Zen Wen strain, is featured across flower, pre-rolls, and strawberry lemonade terpene-infused edibles—with plans to expand into vapes and infused joints soon. “Zen Wen is a fan favorite,” Osefo notes. “It hits the sweet spot for micro-dosing and on-the-go use.”

The brand’s cultivation strategy reflects a focus on productivity and balance, with a preference for energizing sativas. “We cater to people with busy schedules who want to stay productive,” he says. “Appearance, aroma, terpene profile—all of that plays a role.”

Osefo remains focused on the long game: scaling sustainably, forging partnerships with other Black-owned brands, and continuing to elevate cannabis culture as a force for good.

There’s also a cultural nod in the product names, with certain strains referencing Real Housewives moments, appealing to fans of the show who now know Osefo as both a TV personality and cannabis entrepreneur. Yet behind the celebrity connection is a serious commitment to education, accessibility, and normalization.

“One of our slogans is ‘Everyday Professionals Who Color Outside the Lines,’” Osefo says. “I don’t look like the poster child for cannabis use, but that’s the point. Teachers, lawyers, parents—there’s a place for everyone here.”

That inclusivity extends to hiring. As the brand continues to grow, Osefo is on the lookout for passionate Brand Ambassadors, Content Creators, and Sales Representatives who align with the brand’s energy and vision. “If you have talent, we want to hear from you,” he says. “We’re scaling fast.”

Even as Happy Eddie navigates the patchwork regulations across Maryland, Missouri, and now New Jersey—where even packaging laws vary drastically—Osefo remains focused on the long game: scaling sustainably, forging partnerships with other Black-owned brands, and continuing to elevate cannabis culture as a force for good.

Destigmatizing the plant

“We’re not just here to sell weed,” Osefo says. “We’re here to represent a community that’s been overlooked—and to prove that cannabis users look like your lawyer, your neighbor, your kid’s teacher. The stigma has to go.”

So what’s next for Happy Eddie?

“More states. More products. More partnerships with Black-owned businesses. And hopefully, more real talk about what this plant can actually do for people.”

The work is far from over, but Osefo is building something that’s rooted in purpose, not just profit. And in an industry that’s still figuring out what equity really looks like, that’s the kind of energy the cannabis space could use more of.

Looking to try out Happy Eddie products for yourself? Shop the Happy Eddie catalog on Leafly, find deals, and stock up on your next favorite strain today.

For this mother-daughter duo, cannabis isn’t just a commodity—it’s a carefully curated tool for healing.

Anacostia Organics opened in 2019, becoming the first medical dispensary east of the Anacostia River in Washington, DC. At a time when most dispensaries were planting roots in affluent neighborhoods or behind layers of security glass, Linda Mercado Greene chose to set up shop in Ward 8, one of DC’s most underserved communities. 

It’s not your typical dispensary. Granted, Linda isn’t your typical cannabis entrepreneur. With decades of experience navigating Capitol Hill, running PR firms, and advising the powerful (including Nelson Mandela and Michael Jackson), the 70-something cannabis trailblazer brings both clout and compassion to an industry still fighting for legitimacy. 

Family-owned and operated

Helmed alongside her daughter Tamia, who serves as Director and General Manager, Linda has created something rare in today’s legal weed landscape: a minority- and women-owned dispensary that isn’t just a place to buy cannabis, but a place to be seen, heard, and cared for.

For this mother-daughter duo, cannabis isn’t just a commodity—it’s a carefully curated tool for healing. The inventory reflects this intentional approach with attention to terpene profiles and cannabinoid content, even if most DC consumers still shop by THC percentage. “People are learning,” says Tamia. “For a long time, people would come in and ask for one brand only—like, ‘I only smoke District Cannabis,’” she recalls. “But lately, they’ve become more open. If we’re out of something, they trust our staff to recommend something new.”

On the menu: Hyper-local and medicinal

For Linda and her team, building trust is just as important as the products on offer. In a city where many patients—yes, patients, because DC is still a medical-only market—are seniors managing chronic conditions, Anacostia Organics caters to people with arthritis, cancer, and people on multiple medications. “A lot of people want the relief without having to smoke.” Linda adds.

Tourists, enabled to self-certify their need for cannabis, seek the store out, too, and the insular DC market means that the menu is dominated by only a handful of DC-licensed cultivators. District-grown flower, terpene-rich edibles, topicals, and infused honeys are all part of the mix—though keeping the shelves stocked isn’t always easy in a medical market that’s still playing catch-up.

It’s not easy being a DC dispensary

“There’s a shortage right now,” Linda explains. With DC’s recent push to transition legacy operators into the legal space, the demand for products has surged—without a matching supply. “Cultivators didn’t have enough time to prepare for all these new businesses entering the market,” she says.“My stock levels fluctuate a little bit more now than they did previously.”

Despite being one of the earliest jurisdictions on the East Coast to legalize medical cannabis in 1998, the District has faced unique challenges in regulating its cannabis industry.

Shortages aren’t the only uphill battle that DC dispensary owners face. The struggle for dispensary owners is further compounded by federal tax code 280E, which prevents cannabis businesses like Anacostia Organics from deducting standard business expenses. “Eighty-five cents of every dollar goes to the IRS,” Linda says. “That’s because of 280E. We can’t write off rent, salaries, utilities—nothing.” It’s an especially heavy burden in a jurisdiction barred from building the retail infrastructure to compete with the illicit market.

Despite being one of the earliest jurisdictions on the East Coast to legalize medical cannabis in 1998, the District has faced unique challenges in regulating its cannabis industry. Federal interference delayed implementation of its medical program for more than a decade, and although voters overwhelmingly approved adult-use legalization in 2015, Congressional control over the District’s budget has prevented the city from establishing a regulated market. 

Every year, a rider introduced by Maryland Congressman Andy Harris—commonly referred to as the “Harris Rider”—blocks the District from using local funds to enact the will of its residents. “Only one member of Congress can stop the whole thing,” says Linda. If not for that, “DC would have a flourishing adult-use market generating tens of millions in revenue.” 

A sanctuary, not just a store

Despite the challenges, Linda keeps pushing forward. From organizing job fairs and educational sessions to hosting the city’s first government-sponsored cannabis podcast, Cannabis Conversations, she’s building something bigger than a dispensary. “Our motto is that ‘we are family, not a factory,’” she says. “We hug, we celebrate birthdays, we educate. It’s about community, not just cannabis.”

At Anacostia Organics, the mission goes beyond selling cannabis—it’s about restoring dignity, building trust, and creating space for healing. While the industry in DC is still grappling with restrictive laws and uncertain access, Linda has made her dispensary a sanctuary. The space itself is proof of that intention: warm, welcoming, filled with plants and original art. Patients are greeted with knowledge and kindness, not bulletproof glass. 

“Our motto is that ‘we are family, not a factory.’ We hug, we celebrate birthdays, we educate. It’s about community, not just cannabis.”

Linda Mercado Greene

The team takes time with each person who walks through the door, whether they’re seeking pain relief, guidance, or just someone who will listen without judgment.

As for the future? Linda is considering cultivation, “some sort of vertical integration.” She wants to expand into the South, bringing the Anacostia Organics experience to communities that need it. And, she wants to see federal legalization finally become a reality. No matter how the business grows, one thing won’t change: her commitment to compassion, community, and care.

“I think what sets us apart,” she says, “is that we see this plant not as a product, but as a tool for healing. And everyone who walks through our doors—no matter where they come from—deserves to feel that.”

Looking for cannabis and community in Washington DC? Shop the Anacostia Organics menu on Leafly for pickup, find daily deals, and stock up on all your favorites today.