Hashstoria, Raekwon’s Cannabis Lounge, Receives Approval To Operate By The Newark Central Planning Board After Initially Being Denied
Raekwon is cooking up a storm.
The Wu-Tang Clan emcee’s application for his cannabis dispensary and lounge, Hashstoria, has been approved by the Newark Central Planning Board, according to NJBIZ. The decision comes after the board initially rejected the business operating as a Class 5 cannabis retail facility at 799-805 Broad St., Newark, NJ.
In an Instagram post, Raekwon thanked Newark and his business partners, including radio host and media personality Charlamagne Tha God, Canty Ventures Founder Jedd Canty, and former member of the South Carolina House of Representatives Bakari Sellers.
“@hashstoria is guaranteed to be the top tier consumption lounge/dispensary to hit the east coast period!,” Raekwon wrote in an Instagram caption. “You heard it from the chef himself. We will be right in the heart!”
As Raekwon shared in a previous AfroTech interview, one of the main goals behind Hashstoria is to provide opportunities for residents of Brick City.
“I’m excited to be a part of something great like this in Newark and to be able to offer jobs and certain things to the people in Newark,” he shared with AfroTech.
Behind Hashstoria’s architectural design is Rachael Grochowski, principal at Montclair-based RHG Architecture+Design, NJBIZ notes.
“We are thrilled about this project, and it represents an exciting opportunity to merge history, community, and innovation,” Grochowski said. “Our partnership with Hashstoria, founded by a collaboration of iconic rapper Raekwon of the Wu-Tang Clan, the passionate civil rights attorney Bakari Sellers, and radio, TV personality and mental health advocate Charlamagne tha God, and others, is an intentional effort to bring forth a cannabis retail dispensary and consumption lounge that not only respects Newark’s heritage but also reflects a commitment to social justice, expungement, mental health, and creativity.”
Following Hashstoria’s application approval, it is required to receive the final green light from the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission prior to officially opening its doors.