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.
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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.
Photo Gallery:
(Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Dazed Cannabis)
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