This article first appeared as ‘The CannaBoss Lady officially cut the ribbon on her business this past weekend’ in Tap into SOMA by Alia C. Covel, on June 17, 2021.

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Chocolates, relaxation aids, and skin serums don’t usually have anything in common. But at Maplewood’s newest business, The CannaBoss Lady, one can find these products and more enhanced with CBD.

Owner Jill Cohen started by selling CBD (which stands for cannabidiol) products online in 2018. CBD is a chemical within the cannabis plant but does not contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive part of marijuana that produces a high. “I started out on the ancillary side where I was offering sales and event management to cannabis businesses. And then I became a brand ambassador for two brands that I sell in my shop, and loved that side of the business.”

She saw a vacancy in what Maplewood Village shops had to offer and wanted to fill it. Even though “everyone thought I was crazy for opening a shop in the middle of the pandemic, and in the winter,” Cohen had confidence and said, “I don’t care, I’m doing this!”
​

She looked in several close-by towns for storefront locations but kept coming back to the Highland Place location as her best option. The shop had a soft opening in February and has had brisk sales. The bright color palette and uncluttered shelves, plus Cohen’s knowledge of her range of products, make for a pleasant shopping experience. She is even dog-friendly and hopes to do a dog photoshoot event soon.

With her best girlfriends and family beside her, Cohen cut the ribbon on her “dream come true.”

“To see my vision come to life has been an amazing experience, an awesome journey,” she said.

Deputy Mayor Dean Dafis, who is the Township Committee liaison to the Maplewood Village business community, said how proud he was of Cohen. “Not only is this a female-owned business — and we always need more of that — but what you’re doing here is promoting more health and wellness in our community, and taking away the stigma of cannabis…. What you’re doing here is not just retail, you’re building community.”