Famed Rapper’s Proposed Weed Lounge In Newark Hits A Brick Wall

NEWARK, NJ — A proposed cannabis dispensary and smoking lounge in Newark has reportedly hit a brick wall in the Brick City.

Earlier this year, Hashstoria – which counts well-known Wu-Tang Clan rapper Raekwon among its founders – put in the paperwork to open a new location at 799-805 Broad Street. The company has three existing facilities in Oregon. Read More: Wu-Tang Clan's Raekwon Plans To Open Cannabis Lounge In Newark

The city’s Landmarks and Historic Preservation Commission previously approved Hashstoria’s application to renovate the outside facade of the building, which is located in the Four Corners historic district, Jersey Digs reported.

But on Monday, the Newark Central Planning Board denied Hashstoria’s application, with one board member saying that an artist rendering provided as part of the package was offensive. Clergy and parishioners at the nearby Old First Presbyterian Church – the oldest in Newark – had also objected to the plan, NJ.com reported.

The rendering includes images of a man holding a bottle of liquor and a woman smoking a blunt.

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According to plans submitted to the city, the work would have included new tile cladding on the existing plywood area of the building facade, painting the existing storefront frame black, and adding glass film to filter/block the view of the interior space. The estimated completion date was April.

There would be between 30 and 35 employees. The hours would be from 9 a.m. to midnight Monday to Thursday, and from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday to Sunday.

According to KSI Consulting Engineers, which provided an odor management plan for the facility, there would be four different areas:

• First-Floor Retail Area (3,355 square feet) – “It is our understanding that the first-floor retail area is to be a dispensary containing only sealed, pre-packaged products.”
• Second-Floor Vault – (1,034 square feet) - “It is our understanding that the second-floor vault is to contain mostly sealed, pre-packaged products.”
• Second-Floor Office Area – (715 square feet) – “It is our understanding that the second-floor office area contains typical standard offices and a break room.”
• Second-Floor Consumption Lounge and Restrooms – (3,624 square feet) – “It is our understanding that the second-floor consumption lounge will contain a total of 114 people, including staff, where the primary purpose is to smoke the products from the dispensary, essentially making the area a ‘smoking lounge.’”

Earlier this year, the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission, which regulates marijuana on a state level, unveiled a set of proposed laws for weed lounges, otherwise known as “consumption areas.” All patrons must be 21 or older — the state's legal age for recreational use.

• See Related: Weed Lounges Coming To NJ; Here Are The State's Proposed Rules
• See Related: Newark Is Paving The Way For Marijuana Businesses: Here’s The Plan
• See Related: 5 Things You Need To Know About Marijuana Legalization In NJ

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