Seattle SuperSonics NBA star Shawn Kemp is embarking on a new venture in the cannabis space to inspire change in the industry.

This week, the hoop legend announced that he plans to open his own cannabis shop in Seattle called “Shawn Kemp’s Cannabis” — making it the first Black-owned cannabis dispensary to open in the city, Bleacher Report shares.

Shawn Kemp is opening up his own cannabis shop in Seattle on Oct. 30, and fellow SuperSonics legend Gary Payton will join him for the grand opening

It will be the city's first Black-owned dispensary pic.twitter.com/HPWWITujAW

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 22, 2020

According to a press release, Kemp plans to open his shop on Oct. 30 in a green ribbon-cutting ceremony in the heart of Seattle near the Climate Pledge Arena and famed Space Needle.

“I’m looking forward to welcoming Sonics fans on a regular basis, starting with opening day,” he said in a press statement. “I hope that Shawn Kemp’s Cannabis will be an inspiration for people to get involved with the legal cannabis industry, especially people of color.”

Kemp is fairly new to the fast-growing cannabis industry, so he’s teaming up with industry veterans Matt Schoenlein and Ramsey Hamide — two of the co-founders of Main Street Marijuana, the number one cannabis retailer in Washington since 2014.

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

Kemp — who spent the majority of his NBA career playing for the SuperSonics — looks forward to being a role model for other aspiring cannabis entrepreneurs through the state’s upcoming social equity program, which was created earlier this year.

During the opening of Shawn Kemp’s Cannabis, a new art piece from well-known local muralist, Jeff Jacobson — also known as “Weirdo” — will be on display via the building’s exterior from. The 30-by-80-foot mural pictures Kemp playing basketball in his Seattle SuperSonics uniform.

Shawn Kemp’s Cannabis will be open daily and offer express order kiosks, online ordering, as well as curbside pickup.

For more information about Kemp’s Cannabis, click here.

Shawn Kemp

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