In New York City, NY, Dazed Cannabis, a dispensary owned by Black veterans, marked its grand opening on Thursday, November 9th, 2023, with a VIP celebration on a pink carpet in Union Square. The founders, Keshawn Warner, Rich Rainone, and Chris Vianello, have positioned Dazed at the forefront of Manhattan’s burgeoning legal cannabis scene.
Keshawn Warner, Co-founder of Dazed Cannabis, reflected on the significance of the opening: “The grand opening of Dazed Union Square is truly a historical moment and I’m humbled to be leading the charge in this emerging landscape,” Warner said. “Dazed transcends a typical dispensary, it’s a nostalgic experience centered on community, education, safe consumption and most importantly good vibes.”
After launching to great success as a pop-up on 4/20/23, under New York State’s CAURD program, the dispensary hosted its official opening in Union Square following renovations. This new site is the second after the well-received Holyoke, Massachusetts, location established in August 2021. With an eye toward growth, the company is planning to open four additional dispensaries along the Eastern Seaboard within the coming year.
Chris Webber of the New York Social Equity Cannabis Investment Fund highlighted Dazed’s role in the industry: “Keshawn and his dedicated team at Dazed, exemplify entrepreneurship in action, shining a spotlight on the importance of social equity in the cannabis industry,” said Webber. “This isn’t just about a dispensary; it’s about leveling the playing field, creating opportunities, and building a more inclusive and dynamic entrepreneurial landscape. Keshawn’s journey shows why programs like this are essential.”
Dazed’s doors opened to the public on Friday, November 10th at 8 AM, commencing an all-day event filled with live music, giveaways, and more. In a community-driven effort, Dazed is distributing complimentary lockboxes in collaboration with the Administration of Child Services. To honor Veteran’s Day on November 11th, Dazed is making a donation to a Veterans organization and offering special merchandise giveaways to those who present a military ID or tattoo.
Every detail at Dazed, from the pink decor to the handpicked playlists, is crafted to foster happiness and nostalgia, creating a judgment-free environment that celebrates the communal spirit of cannabis culture.
Dazed is a licensed dispensary, with its location details available in the Dispensary Location Verification HERE. For more information, visit Dazed at Dazed.fun and follow them on Instagram @DazedCanna.
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(Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Dazed Cannabis)
