Retired NBA Star’s Company Will Sell Weed In Bloomfield, Paterson

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — New Jersey native and former NBA star Al Harrington will be returning to his home state next week for two marijuana-fueled launch parties in North Jersey.

Harrington, a native of Orange, is the CEO of Viola, a Black-owned cannabis brand whose flowers will soon be available at the Rise dispensaries in Bloomfield and Paterson. The basketball great will be on hand for launch events at both dispensaries, which will also include music and giveaways.

Some of the cannabis strains that Viola will bring to the two dispensaries include “Chauffer,” “Strawberry Jamz,” “G31” and “Grapes and Cream.”

The event at the Paterson dispensary, located at 196 Third Avenue, will take place on Friday, March 24. The event in Bloomfield will take place at the Rise dispensary at 26-48 Bloomfield Avenue on Saturday, March 25.

According to a news release:

“Harrington grew up in Orange, NJ, and played 16 seasons in the NBA with teams like the New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, and Indiana Pacers. After retiring, Harrington founded Viola, inspired by his grandmother of the same name, who suffered from glaucoma and diabetes but found solace in cannabis remedies. The brand's overall mission is to educate, empower, and uplift communities of color to increase representation in the cannabis industry.”

According to its website, Viola seeks to have a positive impact on the communities that have been hit hardest by the War on Drugs.

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The business grows, processes and sells several different types of cannabis products, including flowers, concentrates and pre-rolled joints. It has operations in California, Colorado, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon and Washington, Forbes reported.

Harrington isn’t the only celebrity who is dipping his feet into the New Jersey cannabis industry. Raekwon, a founding member of the iconic hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, is planning to open a cannabis dispensary and consumption lounge in Newark later this year.

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• See Related: Military Veteran Wants To Open Weed Dispensary In Bloomfield
  

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