In a significant stride for diversity and inclusion in the cannabis industry, several black- and gay-owned businesses are making headway in Illinois. Notably, the SWAY dispensary, renowned for being Black-, Latino-, veteran-, and queer-owned, has reportedly commenced operations in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. This venture is a result of the concerted efforts by Edie Moore, a military veteran and cannabis equity advocate, alongside aging LGBTQ rights and local business figureheads, Art Johnston and José "Pepe" Peña, as detailed by the Chicago Tribune.
Financial challenges have long been a barrier for prospective cannabis entrepreneurs, yet SWAY and other social equity dispensaries are slowly turning the tide. State records indicate that roughly half of the 213 "adult use" dispensaries in Illinois fall under this category. Moreover, the state has recently doled out 48 new conditional licenses in an ongoing effort to increase social equity within the marketplace, as reported by the same source. Within this context, on July 2nd, Village Dispensary is set to open as Bucktown’s newest cannabis dispensary at a former emissions testing site, with Al Harrington, retired NBA player, and Dan Pettigrew, a Chicago native, at the helm, as Block Club Chicago states.
Preceding the Bucktown venue, Village's establishment in the Broadview last summer marked Harrington and Pettigrew's initial foray into the Illinois market. Expansion continues as the duo eyes additional sites within the state, and beyond to Hoboken, New Jersey, with aspirations toward the New York market. Pettigrew conveyed to Block Club Chicago, “It’s literally a dream come true,” he reminisced about his mother’s medicinal use of cannabis and his pride in bringing quality cannabis products back to his home city.
The innovation doesn't stop there, as Village intends to offer a unique “drive-in, drive-out” service model to customers. Coupled with the convenience of being dog-friendly, the concept underscores the company’s dedication to creating a welcoming and efficient shopping experience. As the Bucktown-based Village gears up for its grand opening festivities on June 29 featuring food trucks, deals, and giveaways, the focus remains on embodying a community-centric approach and driving forward the increasingly vibrant panorama of equitable cannabis commerce in Illinois.
