Wu-Tang Clan Rapper Gives Peek Inside His Newark Weed Dispensary

NEWARK, NJ — When it’s complete, Hashstoria’s newest location in Newark will have “the finest greenery on the planet.” That’s the pledge from Raekwon, the Wu-Tang Clan rapper who is bringing a cannabis dispensary and smoking lounge to New Jersey’s largest city.

Earlier this year, Hashstoria – which includes 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

In March, 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. Read More: Famed Rapper's Proposed Weed Lounge In Newark Hits A Brick Wall

However, the planning board did an about-face on its previous denial and approved the application at their July 24 meeting. Hashstoria plans to start construction as soon as the building permit is approved, TAPintoNewark reported.

The project has gained conditional use approval to operate a Class 5 cannabis retail facility. It must get a final green light from the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission before it can open, NJBIZ reported last month.

Raekwon previously posted a message on Instagram about the planning board's approval of Hashstoria in Newark, saying that it will be a "culture-shifting endeavor" and it is "guaranteed to be the top tier consumption lounge / dispensary to hit the east coast period."

The Wu-Tang Clan member shared another update on Aug. 27, which included a glimpse inside the property (watch the video below). He wrote:

“I’m so excited to share with y'all the architectural journey of our @Hashstoria Newark location. We are located right in the heart of the city so we want to create a space, employment for all community members to gather and witness the finest greenery on the planet. (We have the best professional growers on deck). This location boasts over 17,000 square feet, a tremendous multi-level space that will be finely crafted by the incredible architects over at @rhgdesign. We are going to be without question the flyest consumption lounge on the East Coast. Get ready cause we about to blowwwww!”

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