Ascend Wellness Holdings has announced the opening of East Coasting, a new adult-use cannabis dispensary located at 178 NJ-35 Eatontown, NJ. Through a partnership agreement under New Jersey law that facilitates expanded investment opportunities for diversely-owned businesses in the cannabis industry, East Coasting will operate independently, with Ascend providing operational support and resources along with cannabis reform advocate Kyle Page. Today marks the soft opening of the new storefront, with a grand opening planned for April 24th.
Kyle Page will serve as owner and operator of East Coasting, bringing both lived experience and hands-on industry expertise to the dispensary. Page's journey has been shaped by the unequal enforcement of cannabis laws in Black communities and the long-term barriers created by cannabis-related convictions. After entering the legal cannabis industry in 2022, Page built his career at Ascend, progressing from cultivation associate to supervisor and later returning to the Company for retail and operational training in preparation for dispensary ownership.
"East Coasting represents everything I've learned through my journey, including the setbacks, the growth, and the responsibility that comes with leadership," said Kyle Page, owner and operator of East Coasting. "This is about building a dispensary that people are proud to visit, leading a team with care, and creating a space that reflects community, opportunity, and progress. With Ascend's support, my goal is for East Coasting to be more than a store and to become a destination and a brand that stands for inclusion, advocacy, and hope for what this industry can become."
© Ascend Wellness Holdings
Page was initially hired by Ascend through the Company's hiring efforts for returning citizens and quickly became an advocate at expungement clinics and community events, where he shared his experience and supported others navigating similar barriers. Despite facing regulatory challenges tied to his past conviction, Page persisted, continued working in the industry, and ultimately partnered with Ascend to launch his own dispensary.
"Kyle's story reflects both the harm caused by prohibition and the promise of a more equitable cannabis industry," said Danielle Drummond, Vice President of Social Equity for Ascend Wellness Holdings. "He has demonstrated resilience, leadership, and a deep commitment to community throughout his time with Ascend. East Coasting represents exactly what our social equity partnerships are designed to achieve by creating meaningful ownership opportunities for individuals who were once excluded from this industry."
For more information:
Ascend Wellness Holdings
www.awholdings.com
