About us
For nearly two decades, our family operated with the full right to business use at 360 Chambers Street. We ran Edwards Learning Center now known as Ase Records while paying business taxes, commercial utilities, and even loans. Without any notice or due process, the town quietly took away our variance to operate as a business, and rezoned us to residential (r-50) leaving us in the impossible position of being taxed and billed as a business while stripped of our right to be one.
Despite this, we persevered. Today, we hold our Class 5 conditional cannabis license, and we continue to use the very same building we have built, paid for, and maintained as a business for almost two decades. What was unjustly taken only made us stronger, and Jah Rastafari Dispensary is proof of that resilience.
Now, our goal is to convert this conditional license into an annual license to secure what we have rightfully built and ensure that our business, culture, and community continue to thrive. Supporting Jah Rastafari is not just an investment in cannabis it is an investment in justice, legacy, and a Black-owned, family-led movement that has fought to exist against all odds.
Our vision
At Jah Rastafari, our vision is to create more than a dispensary we are building a cultural home where cannabis, community, and education come together. We aim to set a new standard for what a dispensary can be: a place of elegance, authenticity, and purpose. Rooted in the rich heritage of Jamaica and the values of the Rastafarian faith love, unity, respect for nature, and spiritual wellness Jah Rastafari will be a space where every visit is an experience. From learning about the healing power of cannabis to embracing the history of our culture, our goal is to educate, inspire, and uplift.
Our Consumption Lounge
Our elegant consumption lounge offers a safe, welcoming space for guests to indulge responsibly, medicate with care, and connect with our culture through Jah. Visitors can relax, socialize, and immerse themselves in an atmosphere that blends luxury, tradition, and wellness. Every detail from the décor to the service is designed to make you feel like you are part of something greater, while celebrating our Jamaican roots.
We see Jah Rastafari as:
A Destination – an elegant, welcoming dispensary and consumption lounge designed to reflect the beauty of Jamaican culture.
A Community Hub – creating jobs, opportunities, and connections for Phillipsburg and beyond.
A Legacy – carrying forward the Edwards family tradition of service and transformation, turning decades of community roots into a brighter future.
Giving Back
A portion of every sale at Jah Rastafari Dispensary goes directly back into the community, supporting charities, cultural events, educational programs, and initiatives that make a real difference.
We do more than deliver a premium cannabis experience we give back, we educate, and we strive to change the world, one bud at a time.
CEO
CEO Sandra has been the backbone of our family’s commitment to community for nearly two decades. She purchased and transformed 360 Chambers Street into the Edwards Learning Center, creating a safe space for education, growth, and opportunity in Phillipsburg. That foundation later became Ase Records, a creative hub for music and culture, and now, it continues as the home of Jah Rastafari.
Sandra’s role in the company is rooted in leadership, wisdom, and community building. She brings her years of experience as an entrepreneur and caretaker of the Edwards legacy, guiding the mission of Jah Rastafari to ensure it reflects the values of family, resilience, and cultural pride. While Aaron leads operations and the vision for growth, Sandra provides the grounding spirit the reminder that this business is not just about cannabis, but about uplifting people and protecting a legacy.
coo
Aaron Selassie Edwards, Founder & COO and visionary behind Jah Rastafari, is carrying forward his family’s legacy while shaping the future of cannabis culture in Phillipsburg.
Aaron grew up watching the impact his mother, Sandra, made through the Edwards Learning Center. Inspired by her dedication, he transformed the property into Ase Records, a thriving creative hub for music, art, and community. Now, with Jah Rastafari, Aaron is expanding that mission turning years of cultural, creative, and community work into a movement that blends heritage, wellness, and entrepreneurship.
As COO, Aaron leads the company with bold ideas and relentless determination. His role is to build, grow, and protect Jah Rastafari from navigating the challenges of licensing and rezoning, to creating a space that reflects Jamaican elegance and Rastafarian values. He represents the next generation of leadership: rooted in tradition, yet focused on innovation and opportunity.
Cmo
Ebonique Edwards brings unmatched expertise to Jah Rastafari as a leader in Strategic Marketing and Communications. Holding a Master’s degree in the field, she has over a decade of experience in Branding, Talent Attraction, and Social Media Strategy. Her professional journey spans industries from Telecommunications to Consumer Packaged Goods, and even a leadership role at Twitter, where she honed her ability to build strong brand identities and connect with diverse audiences on a global scale.
At Jah Rastafari, Ebonique leverages her strategic vision and marketing leadership to craft impactful campaigns that not only promote our dispensary but also foster a genuine connection with the community. Her role ensures that our story, our culture, and our mission are communicated with clarity, authenticity, and power.
CSO
With over a decade of experience in the security industry, Neville brings extensive knowledge and professionalism to Jah Rastafari Dispensary. His career spans diverse fields, including healthcare and home improvement, where he refined his skills in safety management and operational integrity. Neville’s adaptability, commitment to excellence, and strong leadership ensure that our dispensary operates smoothly and securely, creating a safe and welcoming environment for every member of our community.
Our Struggles
For nearly two decades, our family property at 360 Chambers Street has been a home for community. First, it was the Edwards Learning Center, where children came to learn and grow. Later, it became Ase Records, a creative hub where artists and entrepreneurs found opportunity and support. This building has always been about more than business it has been about serving people and uplifting culture.
When we pursued our vision of Jah Rastafari, we did everything right. We earned our Class 5 Conditional Cannabis License and invested time, money, and energy to build a dispensary and consumption lounge that would bring jobs, education, and a piece of Jamaican heritage to Phillipsburg.
But without warning, the town rezoned our property to residential (R-50) quietly stripping us of our legal right to operate a business. Despite this, we were still forced to pay business taxes, utilities, and loans, as if nothing had changed.
The injustice
While we were being shut out, another dispensary Broad Street Buds was approved in Phillipsburg. The message was clear: others were given opportunities, while we were denied ours. This isn’t just about one business it’s about the systemic barriers Black-owned cannabis businesses face nationwide.
We are still here, still paying, still fighting because Jah Rastafari was built to be more than a dispensary. It is a movement: a place where people can come together to learn, to heal, and to celebrate culture.
This fight is not just ours it’s for everyone who believes in fairness, community, and opportunity. We invite you to stand with us, invest in us, and be part of building Jah Rastafari. Together, we can turn injustice into empowerment and create a destination that belongs to the people.
why it matters
Jah Rastafari will create real opportunities jobs for local residents, business for local vendors, and growth for the Phillipsburg community. This dispensary is more than a store it’s an engine for economic empowerment.
Culture & Heritage
Rooted in Jamaican traditions and Rastafarian values, Jah Rastafari preserves a culture that has always honored cannabis for its healing, spiritual, and communal power. Every visit will be a chance to celebrate heritage and learn something new.
Building Community
This is not just about cannabis it’s about creating a destination where people connect. A place of education, culture, and unity that brings people together and makes Phillipsburg proud.
The Bigger Picture
Supporting Jah Rastafari means standing for fairness, culture, and empowerment. Together, we can turn injustice into progress and build a dispensary that belongs to the people a movement, not just a business.
Justice & Representation
The cannabis industry was built on the struggles of our culture, yet Black-owned businesses are still being locked out. Jah Rastafari is proof of that injustice. Supporting us means standing for fairness and making sure representation exists where it has long been denied.
Join the Movement
Jah Rastafari is more than a dispensary it’s a fight for fairness, a celebration of culture, and a community built on love, unity, and empowerment.
We’ve carried the Edwards family legacy for nearly two decades, from the Edwards Learning Center to Ase Records, and now into Jah Rastafari. But this next chapter cannot be written alone.
This is where you come in. Whether you’re an investor, a community member, or simply someone who believes in justice and opportunity, your support makes the difference.
By joining the movement, you’re not just helping us open a dispensary you’re helping us:
Stand up for fairness in cannabis.
Create jobs and opportunities in Phillipsburg.
Preserve Jamaican culture and Rastafarian heritage.
Build a space for healing, education, and connection.
✨ Together, we can turn our struggles into strength and our vision into reality.
👉 Be part of Jah Rastafari. Join us. Invest with us. Build with us.