Dazed is a culture-driven cannabis brand and retail concept built on the idea that weed is more than a product—it’s a creative movement. Designed as a crossroads of cannabis, music, art, fashion, and food, Dazed positions its stores as cultural hubs where community and creativity take center stage. The brand’s mission and aesthetic are showcased across its official site.
Roots in Social Equity & NYC Culture
Dazed was founded by entrepreneurs Keshawn Warner, Rich Rainone, and Chris Vianello, a team connected to New York’s legacy cannabis community and deeply involved in the state’s social-equity legalization framework. Warner, a Harlem native and veteran, has been highlighted in multiple interviews and state profiles for transitioning from criminalization under prohibition to licensed ownership—a narrative reflected in New York’s official CAURD (Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary) spotlight.
The flagship Union Square store opened in 2023 inside the historic Decker Building at 33 Union Square West—once home to Andy Warhol’s studio. Media coverage described the opening as a cultural moment for legal cannabis in Manhattan, blending New York art history with modern cannabis retail.
Cannabis Meets Art, Music & Fashion
Dazed markets itself as a lifestyle brand first and a dispensary second. Interviews and coverage in outlets like Honeysuckle Magazine highlight how the founders intentionally designed the brand around cultural pillars:
- Music: Opening events and weekend programming often include DJs, pop-ups, and listening sessions.
- Art: Stores feature street-art-inspired décor, graffiti elements, neon installations, and gallery-style product displays. The Union Square location features bold color blocking and a design that encourages social flow rather than quick transactions.
- Fashion: Dazed produces limited-edition apparel, collaborates with streetwear designers, and frequently ties fashion drops to store events or cultural moments.
- Food: The brand frequently collaborates with food pop-ups, local restaurants, and infused product makers, reinforcing the idea that cannabis fits naturally into nightlife and culinary culture.
This multi-pillar approach frames Dazed as a creative house where cannabis is a unifying thread rather than the only attraction.
Immersive Retail Experience
Each Dazed location—including its Union Square, Holyoke (MA), and Monson (MA) stores—is designed to feel welcoming, expressive, and communal. Instead of traditional cannabis retail counters, the brand uses lounge-style layouts, open-concept product displays, and atmospheric lighting meant to encourage conversation and exploration.
Menus are accessible through the brand’s website and partner platforms such as Highperlocal and Dutchie, offering a mix of curated flower, pre-rolls, vapes, edibles, and accessories.
Events, Partnerships & Community Culture
Dazed’s openings often resemble nightlife events. Coverage of the Union Square debut highlighted its pink carpet, celebrity guests, DJ sets, and fashion drops—transforming the experience from a dispensary opening into a cultural celebration.
The brand also uplifts local artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs through collaborations, pop-ups, and vendor partnerships. Through these events, Dazed builds a creative ecosystem where independent talent and cannabis consumers merge into one community.
What Makes Dazed Stand Out
Dazed differentiates itself through:
- A culture-first identity blending arts, music, fashion, food, and cannabis.
- Social-equity ownership that resonates in New York’s evolving cannabis landscape.
- Immersive, Instagram-ready retail spaces that encourage connection.
- Event-driven marketing that positions the stores as community hubs.
As the brand expands, Dazed continues to champion a new kind of legal cannabis experience—one built on style, creativity, and cultural expression, where visiting a dispensary feels more like stepping into a curated art-and-music space than a typical retail store.