Former NBA Player Joins Hometown Dispensary as Co-Owner

Former National Basketball Association player Travis Best has joined Springfield, Massachusetts dispensary Lemonnade as co-owner, MassLive reports. Best, a Springfield native, played in the NBA from 1995 to 2005 and another four seasons in Europe.

Lemonnade is a sister brand of Cookies.

“After doing a bit of my own research it became immediately apparent that Cookies/Lemonnade is without question the best in the business. I’ve always strived to live up to my last name in all that I do. Combining the best with the Best to deliver a transformative project to the South End neighborhood, the city I love and the entire region is an opportunity I’m extremely excited about.” Best in a statement, via MassLive

The dispensary is majority-owned by Brittany Washumare, who is also a certified economic empowerment applicant in the state. Washumare said she “could not be more happy to have Travis Best as a partner.”

“His name and reputation is impeccable and synonymous with the city of Springfield,” she said in a statement to MassLive. “He’s a perfect teammate, as many can attest to, and I can’t wait to deliver a win for Springfield alongside him.”

The owners are eying the dispensary for Springfield’s South End Neighborhood. They still must obtain a host community agreement, a permit from the city council, and a state license. During a community outreach meeting, the owners said they plan to dedicate shelf space to products and brands owned by economic empowerment and social equity applicants, city residents, minorities, or those with a history of disproportionate impact from the war on drugs would comprise 100% of Lemonnade employees, and that employees will be paid a wage of no less than $20-an-hour and averaging at $24-an-hour and have access to comprehensive benefits.

The company said it will also reserve 3,000 square feet for a training center to assist residents in reducing barriers to industry entry and identify potential future employees.