Union Square Travel Agency, a legal cannabis business (headed by former NYS official overseeing AY), opens in Downtown Brooklyn, near Jay-Z's old stash spot.

Last July, I wrote (link) how former Atlantic Yards state overseer Arana Hankin (now Arana Hankin-Biggers), after "growing disillusioned with economic development efforts," had become a cannabis innovator, Co-Founder and President, Union Square Travel Agency, a licensed legal cannabis business, which partners with The Doe Fund, which works with the homeless. 

Hankin-Biggers' LinkedIn describes it as "A cannabis retail company that is committed to supporting efforts to reverse the damage created by the war on drugs."

Now the Union Square Travel Agency has opened its third recreational dispensary, in Downtown Brooklyn at 118-122 Flatbush Avenue. 

Circling back

As reported by the website Stupid Dope:

The 4,800 square foot dispensary, designed by the acclaimed creative team Leong Leong, promises a visual feast representative of the brand’s fun yet sophisticated approach to cannabis culture. Located just a few doors down from Jay Z’s old stash spot and within walking distance to both Barclays Center and Atlantic Terminal, The Travel Agency Downtown Brooklyn is strategically positioned to serve a diverse and vibrant community.

In other words, when Jay-Z opened the Barclays Center with eight concerts, starting in September 2012, he marveled (video) that the former home of his illegal activity--which involved drugs stronger than poit--was so close to the arena.

Now, some formerly illegal activity is legal, just down the block. (Of course, there have been lots of illegal weed stores in walking distance, though they're getting closed down.)

The benefits

Btw, in the Blunt Blowin' Mama podcast, "cannamom" Hankin-Biggers talks about her history with cannabis, helping reduce stress, and inspirations for the business. 

At 38:40, she notes she has a history of anxiety, compounded by stressful jobs in politics: "I was there working for [Lieutenant Governor] David Paterson, we had a team of five of us. We were forced to run New York State less than 24 hours after Spitzer got caught with a prostitute."