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A new venture undertaken by Wu-Tang’s Raekwon and “Breakfast Club” host Charlamagne Tha God has officially broken ground.
As AFROTECH™ previously told you, Hashstoria, a cannabis lounge, was slated to open in Newark, NJ, and would fulfill a long-held dream of Raekwon’s.
“My own life compass has been great to me and can only become greater…these are goals and admirations on my vision board. I’m just marking them off,” the rapper said in a previous Instagram post.
In 2023, there were initial roadblocks to overcome when getting the business up and running, as they were first rejected by the Newark Central Planning Board to operate as a Class 5 cannabis retail facility. However, their application was later greenlit by the same board, per NJBIZ.
Fast forward to November 2024, and Raekwon and Charlamagne Tha God have officially opened Hashstoria’s doors to the public in partnership with civil rights attorney Bakari Sellers and entrepreneur Jedd Canty, a news release shared with AFROTECH™ mentions.
“We are committed to working with the great city of Newark to safely and legally expand the cannabis industry here,” Sellers explained in the release. “We appreciate the collaboration with the Mayor’s office and the City Council, and we look forward to making a meaningful impact in the community by creating opportunities and fostering local talent.”
The co-founders have a grand vision for the surrounding area, with plans to scale to a premier consumption lounge in 2025. Currently, their focus includes creating opportunities in employment and education as well as establishing a wellness center.
“Cannabis is just one part of our vision for Newark,” Raekwon mentioned, according to the release. “We’re not just normalizing cannabis use; we’re using it as a catalyst to uplift our people and culture, much like hip-hop has done for decades.”
The official grand opening of Hashstoria’s downtown Newark location was held on Wednesday, Nov. 11, with the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 3 p.m. The community was welcomed to take part in contests, food trucks, and first-look deals on cannabis products.
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