Whoopi Goldberg’s Cannabis Company Locked in Legal Battle With Convicted Ex-Mayor Joey Torres Over Paterson Pot Shop

PATERSON — What was meant to be a bold new venture in New Jersey’s cannabis boom has instead turned into a bitter legal fight between Hollywood royalty and a disgraced politician.

Actor, comedian, and author Whoopi Goldberg—through her cannabis brand WhoopFam Corporation—entered into an agreement last year to open a recreational marijuana dispensary in Paterson. The plan was ambitious: Goldberg’s company would transform a building on 1st Avenue into a sleek, licensed marijuana storefront, leased from the House of HOPE, a nonprofit organization tied to former Paterson mayor Joey Torres.

But nearly a year later, the partnership has collapsed, leaving both sides lobbing accusations—and a cloud of legal uncertainty—over a project that once promised jobs, revenue, and prestige for the city.

The Lease and the Fallout

In September 2023, WhoopFam signed a lease with Torres’ House of HOPE, agreeing to operate out of the property. For Goldberg, the venture marked another step in her long-time advocacy for cannabis reform, particularly its use for wellness and medical purposes.

Yet, insiders say the deal soured quickly. Legal filings reveal disputes over payments, licensing hurdles, and alleged breaches of contract. What was envisioned as a celebrity-backed investment in Paterson’s future now risks becoming another high-profile cautionary tale in the state’s budding marijuana industry.

The Shadow of Joey Torres

The involvement of Joey Torres has only intensified public scrutiny. Torres, once a three-term mayor of Paterson, resigned in disgrace in 2017 after pleading guilty to corruption charges involving city employees. He served prison time, and although he has since tried to re-enter public life through nonprofit work, his name remains synonymous with political scandal.

For critics, Goldberg’s partnership with a figure like Torres was risky from the start. For supporters, it was a chance at redemption—not just for Torres, but for Paterson’s struggling economy.

Now, with lawsuits flying, both reputations hang in the balance.

A Clash of Narratives

Representatives for WhoopFam claim the company acted in good faith but faced “roadblocks and misrepresentations” from Torres’ side, preventing the store from opening on schedule. They allege that House of HOPE failed to meet obligations critical to launching the business, from zoning approvals to property readiness.

Meanwhile, Torres’ camp insists that WhoopFam failed to hold up its end of the bargain, accusing the celebrity-backed company of walking away when the challenges of operating in New Jersey’s heavily regulated cannabis market became clear.

Stakes for Paterson and the Cannabis Market

The dispute comes at a crucial time. New Jersey legalized recreational cannabis sales in 2022, and municipalities like Paterson have been eager to attract dispensaries as a source of tax revenue and local employment.

Having a business linked to Whoopi Goldberg could have given Paterson a cultural and economic boost, positioning it as a hub for the cannabis market. Instead, the city finds itself watching another legal drama unfold—one blending celebrity, politics, and the growing pains of a new industry.

What Comes Next?

The case is expected to wind through court in the coming months. Until then, the 1st Avenue building sits unused, a symbol of both promise and failure.

For Goldberg, whose career spans from The Color Purple to The View, the lawsuit underscores the risks of entering the cannabis marketplace, even for a high-profile advocate with national recognition. For Torres, it’s yet another chapter in a career marred by scandal, testing whether the former mayor’s name can ever be separated from controversy.

As one local resident put it: “It could’ve been something big for Paterson. Instead, it’s just more fighting. And we’re the ones left waiting.”