Quick Read
- Jim Belushi is promoting his cannabis brands across South Jersey dispensaries through a partnership with High Grass Farms.
- He introduces three brands: Belushi’s Farm, The Blues Brothers, and Big Sur Holy Weed, featuring unique strains and products.
- Belushi’s advocacy is shaped by his late brother John’s legacy and his own hands-on experience in Oregon’s legal cannabis market.
- Other celebrities have entered New Jersey’s cannabis scene, but authenticity and community engagement are key for lasting success.
- Belushi continues his acting career with new film roles while advancing cannabis entrepreneurship.
Jim Belushi: From Hollywood to the Heart of New Jersey’s Cannabis Scene
Jim Belushi, a name synonymous with comedy and music for decades, is now making headlines for a different kind of performance — championing cannabis in New Jersey. The actor, best known for his roles in film, television, and as one half of the iconic Blues Brothers act, is channeling his energy into promoting cannabis brands with a personal touch and purpose.
Promoting Brands with a Personal Story
Belushi’s recent tour across South Jersey dispensaries is more than a celebrity endorsement. At stops like ReLeaf in Williamstown, High Rollers in Atlantic City, the Frosted Nug in Penns Grove, and Jersey Joint in Glassboro, Belushi introduced locals to a trio of cannabis brands: Belushi’s Farm, The Blues Brothers, and Big Sur Holy Weed. These brands aren’t just labels; they’re built on stories — and for Belushi, those stories are deeply personal.
His partnership with High Grass Farms, a locally owned cannabis producer operating out of a 48,000-square-foot facility in Buena, marks a significant expansion. High Grass Farms, having renewed its license with the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission in October 2023, is set to be the launching pad for Belushi’s curated selection of strains such as Pink Certz, Mule Fuel, and Apple Tart. The lineup also includes vapes, concentrates, and brick hash products, all introduced in Belushi’s own words through social media videos that blend humor with horticulture.
Legacy, Loss, and Advocacy: The Blues Brothers Connection
What sets Jim Belushi apart from other celebrity entrepreneurs is the authenticity he brings, rooted in personal experience and family legacy. The Blues Brothers — a band that originated on Saturday Night Live, starring Jim and his late brother John — is more than a nostalgic act. For Jim, it’s a living tribute. He openly reflects on John’s untimely passing in the 1980s, expressing a poignant wish that things might have been different had his brother chosen cannabis over more dangerous substances. This candid perspective fuels his advocacy, adding a layer of sincerity that resonates with both fans and skeptics alike.
“If John had chosen cannabis, maybe he’d still be here,” Jim mused, underscoring his belief in cannabis’s relative safety and its potential to change lives for the better. It’s a sentiment that reverberates through his business ventures and public appearances, blending grief with purpose.
From ‘Growing Belushi’ to Garden State
Belushi’s roots in cannabis run deeper than most celebrity dabblers. His Oregon-based legal cannabis farm is the focus of Growing Belushi, a Discovery Channel series (now streaming on HBO Max) that pulls back the curtain on the challenges, quirks, and unexpected joys of running a cannabis operation. From experimenting with playing music for his plants to sharing the realities of regulatory hurdles, the show reveals Belushi’s hands-on approach and genuine curiosity.
This authenticity is not lost on New Jersey’s cannabis community, which has seen its share of celebrity brands come and go. While star power can generate buzz, it’s often the commitment to the craft — and the willingness to engage with local partners — that earns lasting respect. As Belushi tours the Garden State, he’s not just selling products; he’s building relationships with dispensary owners, local advocates, and the South Jersey Chamber of Commerce, which has publicly backed his efforts.
Celebrity Brands: A Crowded, Competitive Space
Jim Belushi is hardly alone in his quest to leave a mark on New Jersey’s growing cannabis industry. The state has attracted a constellation of famous names: Raekwon from Wu-Tang Clan opened Hashstoria dispensary in Newark (though it closed within ten months), radio personality Charlamagne tha God has backed local ventures, Berner’s Cookies brand set up shop in Harrison, actor Ice-T co-owns the Medicine Woman dispensary in Jersey City, and former NBA star Al Harrington launched Village dispensary in Hoboken. Wrestler Ric Flair, too, has been a visible presence at promotional events.
Yet, despite the influx of star-backed brands, the New Jersey market remains discerning. Community members tend to support celebrities who demonstrate true involvement and passion for cannabis rather than those seeking a quick profit. Belushi’s transparent approach, willingness to engage with local culture, and the emotional resonance of his Blues Brothers story could well distinguish him from the pack.
Beyond Cannabis: New Roles and Continued Creativity
Even as he dives deeper into the cannabis world, Belushi hasn’t left his acting roots behind. He’s recently taken on two new film projects — the touching Song Sung Blue and The Chronology of Water, Kristen Stewart’s highly anticipated directorial debut. These roles, discussed during his appearance on The Rhode Show, underscore Belushi’s ongoing evolution as a performer. He continues to balance artistic pursuits with entrepreneurship, never losing sight of the personal stories that drive his work.
And for those who want to see Belushi the performer in action, he’s bringing his “Home for the Holidays” show to the Jane Pickens Theater in Rhode Island — a reminder that, at heart, he remains as much an entertainer as an entrepreneur.
Looking Ahead: Authenticity as the Key Ingredient
As Jim Belushi’s cannabis brands take root in New Jersey, his journey stands as a case study in the importance of authenticity, community engagement, and personal narrative. The path from Hollywood to horticulture is rarely straightforward, and the New Jersey market, with its blend of opportunity and skepticism, will be watching closely.
For Belushi, success won’t be measured solely by sales figures, but by the impact his advocacy and authenticity have on a community eager for both innovation and integrity in its cannabis industry.
Jim Belushi’s story is more than another celebrity cannabis launch — it’s a testament to the enduring power of personal legacy, honesty, and hands-on effort in an industry where trust is as valuable as any product on the shelf. As New Jersey’s cannabis market matures, Belushi’s approach may well set the standard for what celebrity involvement can and should look like.