Raekwon plans to open Hashstoria Cannabis Lounge in Newark, New Jersey

Raekwon, also known as Raekwon, the boss of the Wu Tang Clan, is planning to open a Hashstoria dispensary and cannabis lounge on Broad Street in Newark, New Jersey. The new location will be housed in a historic building in the heart of downtown Newark’s Four Corners District.

However, the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission continues to accept public comment on the proposed rules for consumption areas in the state.

After the public comment period on March 18, the rules will be finalized and approved. Once the rules are filed and published in the New Jersey Register, the Commission will accept applications

Consumption areas, for pharmacies that are already in operation or have a permit.

Visit Cannabis Related Laws (nj.gov) for proposed rules for consumption areas and Recreational License Awardees (nj.gov) to find all cannabis businesses that have been granted licenses in the state.

Co-founded by Raekwon, Hashstoria is a premier brand collective and pharmacy chain focused on quality and the consumer experience. Raekwon’s Compliments of the Chef line sold at Hashstoria features merch and apparel that represent his values ​​and the tasteful choices he finds.

Hashstoria chain of pharmacies, a combination of the words “hash” and “astoria” in Oregon. (The Goonies was filmed in Astoria.) Filming locations are also open in Gladstone and Springfield, Oregon. Fourth pharmacy location and lounge opens in Newark.

The history of the historic site dates back to 1839 and was once home to one of the oldest cloth makers in New Jersey. It is across from the Prudential Center and the Indigo Hotel and within walking distance to Newark Penn Station and Mulberry Commons.

Jersey Digs, which provides property and development news, first reported that the lounge is set to open in March. Commissioned by Hashstoria, RHG Architecture + Design recently appeared before Newark’s Landmark and Historic Preservation Commission to submit plans for facade renovations.

The site has been unanimously approved by the Landmark and Historic Preservation Commission.

The four-story building is an aging landmark in the Four Corners Historic District with lots of character and potential — though most of the “ornaments” on the building’s first two floors have been destroyed in recent decades.

“A lot has changed with this building over time,” Rachael Grochowski, director of RHG Architecture + Design, told Jersey Digs. “We will have community art in the window that will be changeable. The existing window frames will be painted black to freshen them up and really make them stand out and coordinate with the signage.”

The developers plan to restore the facade using the same type of bricks as in the remains of the historic building, along with new windows and headers.

Some commissioners initially expressed hesitation about the pharmacy and residency plans, but agreed to the latest proposals when some improvements were made. “I think it looks a lot better than what you presented before and I applaud you for that,” said Commissioner Richard Grossklaus.

Members of the Wu-Tang clan are very familiar with Newark, having filmed large parts of the Wu-Tang: An American Saga biopic in downtown Newark and the South Ward. Raekwon was photographed in the August 1996 issue of The High Times, in one of many appearances, being hit by a blunt with Method Man. Raekwon also became involved with NBA Hall of Famer Chris Webber’s Players Only cannabis brand with his business partner Lavetta Willis, who joined Quavo, Royce da 5’9″, Matt Barnes and Jason Williams.

The New Jersey market is younger than Oregon, where the brand first launched. The company’s website lists an opening date in March.

Last November, New Jersey voters passed Public Question 1, ending a three-year effort to legalize adult-use cannabis in the state. New Jersey was one of four states, along with Arizona, Montana and South Dakota, to pass adult-use cannabis legislation on election night in 2022.

Check out the pharmacy plans on the Hashstoria website.