WEST ORANGE, NJ — Pure Natural Vibes made history on August 31, 2024, when it opened as West Orange’s first cannabis dispensary. They recently hosted a grand opening with a ribbon cutting that was attended by Mayor Susan McCartney and Council Members Asmeret Ghebremicael and Michelle Casalino as well as the owners and staff of the store.
Since marijuana was legalized in 2021, the state and the township have been working out the procedures for opening businesses, and it’s been a long, slow process.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE TAPINTO.NET NEWSLETTER
Co-founders Darnnelle and Nordia Gibbs first discovered the medicinal value of CBD when Darnnelle, a United States Army Veteran, sustained an injury that left him in great pain. When he tried CBD, he finally experienced relief.
They are committed to educating the public about the health benefits and helping residents in other ways. Darrnelle mentioned in a town council meeting that they plan to implement a food drive program in the dispensary and will ask customers to donate food in exchange for product discounts. They are collecting food for those in need for Thanksgiving (see above). He committed to hiring West Orange residents for half the staff, and hiring the other half from “impact zones in the surrounding areas.”