Business

NBA Legend Shawn Kemp to open Seattle’s first Black-owned cannabis store

NBA legend Shawn Kemp is set to open a cannabis dispensary in Seattle.

Published

5 years ago

October 25, 2020

UVM Staff

Photo Credit: Shawn Kemp Dispensary

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NBA legend Shawn Kemp is set to open a cannabis dispensary, according to a news release.

Shawn Kemp’s Cannabis

The dispensary “Shawn Kemp’s Cannabis” located at 3035 1st Ave. in Seattle opens Friday, Oct. 30.

Gary Payton will join Kemp for a ribbon‑cutting ceremony at 12:45 p.m. The shop will open to the public at 1 p.m.

“I’m looking forward to welcoming Sonics fans on a regular basis, starting with opening day,” Kemp said.

Making history

The six-time All Star is also making history. His store will be one of the few cannabis shops in the Seattle metro area and all of Washington to have Black ownership.

Black people have long been underrepresented in the legal cannabis industry.

“I hope Shawn Kemp’s Cannabis inspires more people, especially people of color, to enter the legal cannabis industry,” Kemp said.

Kemp is a novice in the cannabis industry but he will be partnering with industry veterans Matt Schoeleina and Ramsey Hamide, two of the co-founders of Main Street Marijuana, for his cannabis venture. Main Street Marijuana has been a top cannabis retailer in Washington since its inception in 2014.

“My name is on this company and I have worked hard to bring Shawn Kemp’s Cannabis to fruition,” Kemp said.

“I want to provide nothing short of the best selection, customer experience and prices in Seattle. I have incredible partners in Matt Schoenlein and Ramsey Hamide to make sure we deliver on that promise to our customers, who are our top priority.”

Shawn Kemp’s Cannabis will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 11:45 p.m.

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Unheard Voices, an award-winning, family-operated online news magazine, began in 2004 as a community newsletter serving Neptune, Asbury Park, and Long Branch, N.J. Over time, it grew into a nationally recognized Black-owned media outlet. The publication remains one of the few dedicated to covering social justice issues. Its honors include the NAACP Unsung Hero Award and multiple media innovator awards for excellence in social justice reporting and communications.