The Honorable Plant
123 Bay Ave,
Highlands, NJ

Highlands Welcomes Women-Led Dispensary: The Honorable Plant Highlands, NJ — The Borough of Highlands is now home to a groundbreaking, women-led cannabis dispensary that’s delivering top-quality, curated cannabis products, while redefining what community-focused cannabis retail can be.

To celebrate this exciting new addition to the Highlands business landscape, the Highlands Business Partnership, together with Mayor Carolyn Broullon and the Borough Council, will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, July 5th, at noon at The Honorable Plant, located at 123 Bay Ave. in Highlands. Community members are invited to attend, meet the team, and be part of this milestone moment. “We’re proud to welcome The Honorable Plant to our Highlands business community,” said Carla Cefalo, Executive Director of the Highlands Business Partnership. “It’s not every day you see a business led by such a passionate group of women who truly care about doing things the right way. They’re bringing something fresh and welcoming, with a beautiful nautical theme that perfectly reflects the spirit of our coastal community.”

Monmouth County native Jacqueline Bruckmann is the owner of the newly opened boutique-style dispensary. Her mother, Beth Stavola, a trailblazer in the cannabis business since 2011, brings over 15 years of experience in the legal cannabis industry. Widely regarded as a pioneer in the field, she played a key role in shaping cannabis policy and setting operational standards across multiple states. Beth was one of the first women to take a cannabis company public and has mentored countless women in the industry. She has been a fixture in advising NJ Cannabis policy and has made regular contributions to panels and public education efforts on the benefits of medicinal cannabis. Today, her daughter Jacqueline carries that legacy forward with fresh vision and purpose.

Together with a powerhouse team of women, affectionately known as the “CannaGirls”, Jacqueline and Beth have launched a dispensary rooted in community, quality, and education. “It’s important to me to empower women,” says Stavola. “I have five daughters and a son, and many of the women here have been with me from the beginning.” The leadership team includes Jackie Bruckmann, owner; Kim Wagner, director of compliance and marketing; Nino Chomakhashvili, chief financial officer and creative visionary; Tenisha Victor, director of business operations; and Dale Patterson, head of human resources. This group brings decades of combined experience, with previous leadership roles in cannabis operations across Nevada, Arizona, and Canada.

The dispensary features a carefully curated menu that focuses on craft, small batch, locally grown cannabis brands, while also offering affordable, accessible options. The product lineup includes flower, vapes, topicals, edibles, and beverages, all rigorously tested and fully compliant with New Jersey state regulations.

For those new to cannabis, affectionately called the “canna-curious”, the team provides education and support in a safe, judgment-free environment. “We focus heavily on education,” said Victor. “We carry low-dose options, including topicals that offer therapeutic benefits without psychoactive effects. It’s all about helping people make informed decisions.”

The shop’s nautical-themed interior sets the tone for an experience that goes far beyond the transactional. Customers are welcomed by a custom signature scent, stylish décor, and a warm, local vibe. The Honorable Plant is more than just a dispensary; it’s a destination designed to make customers feel welcome, relaxed, and inspired. “We wanted it to feel special, not like just another store,” says Chomakhashvili. “From the scent to the design, every detail is intentional. Our goal is to make people feel comfortable and cared for.”

Compliance is at the core of operations. Wagner ensures every product is tested, every vendor is vetted, and every customer is carded, no exceptions. “We’re not just a retail shop, we’re advocates for safe access,” Wagner says. “We’ve seen the dangers of the unregulated market, and we’re committed to consumer safety above all else.”

In the coming months, the team will launch a state-compliant delivery service, drawing on operational models built in Las Vegas. This will allow Highlands to benefit from tax revenue, even when delivering to nearby towns that have opted out of dispensary licensing.

The Honorable Plant is located at 123 Bay Ave., Highlands, NJ. Hours are Sunday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Thursday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Visit honorableplant.com or call 732-334-6545 for more information.

What began as a dream between a mother and daughter has now blossomed into a pioneering local business. “My mom leads with heart and strength,” Jacqueline says. “She’s built something powerful by surrounding herself with smart, passionate women, and I’m honored to carry that legacy forward.”