Dazed Cannabis Dispensary in Monson MA

Dazed Cannabis, Monson’s first dispensary

Drive along Route 20 on the Monson and Palmer line and you will spot it: a bright pink sign at 399 Boston Road West. That is Dazed Cannabis Dispensary in Monson MA, the first dispensary to open in Monson, and it has one of the more colorful backstories you will find in Western Massachusetts.

Dazed describes itself as “the intersection of cannabis, Music, Fashion and Art.” Its website puts the big idea simply: “Cannabis is a plant that bridges the gap between people.” If you live in eastern Hampden County, or you are passing through on your way to Springfield or Sturbridge, here is what to know before you stop in.

Open since 2024

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission lists 399 Boston Road W as an active, licensed adult-use cannabis retailer, open since January 12, 2024. A week later, Dazed announced that it had officially opened what it called the first and only dispensary in Monson. The Reminder reported that the shop held its grand opening celebration on March 1, 2024, with Town Administrator Jennifer Wolowicz making the ceremonial first purchase.

Wolowicz had kind words for the newcomers. “Everyone connected to Dazed have been wonderful and are looking to be a part of our community,” she told the Reminder. She also noted that the spot works well for the town: “The location is helpful, not in a residential neighborhood.”

From the Magic Lantern to a pink Dazed sign

Here is where the story gets fun. Before it was a dispensary, 399 Boston Road was home to the Magic Lantern, a strip club. WWLP reported that the club opened in the 1960s, and the Dazed announcement said its vintage sign had been lit up on Route 20 since 1969 before the club closed in 2022. Today, the pink Dazed sign stands where that old sign used to hang.

Dazed did not try to erase the building’s past. The Reminder reported that the renovation cost about $750,000 and took nearly a year, and that a stage and pole still stand in the center of the shop as a nod to its history. Yakaira Pagan of Dazed told WWLP, “I love it because it keeps a touch of what was here.” Co-founder Keshawn Warner framed the change as a handoff: “We’re thrilled to be passing on the torch and serving the community in a new way.”

For longtime locals, that makes a trip to Dazed a little bit of a time capsule. The sign out front is new, but the building has been a Route 20 landmark for decades.

Who is behind Dazed

Dazed was founded by Keshawn Warner, Rich Rainone and Chris Vianello, and it describes itself as a Black- and veteran-owned cannabis brand. According to the Reminder, the three started the company in 2021 with a first store in Holyoke. Monson came next in Massachusetts, and the brand now lists six recreational dispensaries across Massachusetts and New York on its website.

Why Monson? Rainone gave the Reminder a straightforward answer: “We heard Monson was looking for an established business.” He also said the grand opening was “two years in the making.”

Back in 2023, while the Monson shop was still in the planning stages, Vianello summed up the brand’s attitude for the Reminder: “just because we’re compliant doesn’t mean it doesn’t have to be fun.”

Pink, playlists and good vibes

Dazed is not shy about style. Its opening announcement talked up pink decor made for social media, curated playlists, immersive events and a focus on quality cannabis in an educational setting. WWLP reported that the brand also offers merchandise and hosts events and meet-and-greets, and that staff aim to make the shop both fun and educational.

Rainone put the difference down to people and atmosphere. “We think our staff, the vibe, our environment are what makes a difference,” he told the Reminder. At the grand opening, the Reminder reported, the Monson shop had 15 employees.

Friendly help, no pressure

The Monson store page describes the team as “knowledgeable, friendly, and available to help guide customers without pressure.” That is good news if you are new. Tell your budtender what you have tried before, what you are curious about and how much you want to spend, and let them narrow it down.

One piece of advice from the Dazed team stuck with WWLP’s reporter, and it is worth repeating for first-timers: “low and slow is the way to go.” In other words, start with a small amount, and give it time before you decide whether you want more.

Giving back in Monson

Dazed made a point of showing up for the town on day one. The Reminder reported that the shop donated $500 to the Monson Arts Council at its grand opening. For a brand built around music, fashion and art, supporting local artists is a natural fit.

What’s on the menu

The Dazed menu covers flower, pre-rolls, vaporizers, edibles, concentrates, topicals, tinctures, CBD, accessories and merch. You can shop by price, with ranges that start under $20, or by potency, with THC ranges from 0 to 15 percent up to 26 percent and above. The Monson store page says all products are lab tested and “sourced from licensed Massachusetts brands,” and it promises a “rotating selection of products,” so there is usually something new to look at.

Order ahead for pickup

Know what you want? Browse the online menu, make sure Monson is selected as your store at checkout, and place your order for pickup. Dazed’s guide for Palmer and Monson shoppers says you can pick up curbside or in the store. Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID, and plan to pick up your own order, since Dazed says orders cannot be handed off to someone who is not there.

Parking is easy

This is not a downtown shop where you circle the block. Dazed says its Monson location has a dedicated lot with free parking, and “No validation or meters are required.” The store page also promises “secure, convenient parking and a clean, organized retail space.” With direct access from Route 20, it is an easy stop on the way in or out of town.

Join the VIP Program

Dazed runs a VIP Program that it calls “the leading cannabis VIP Program in MA & NY,” with exclusive offers, merch and deals. According to a post on the Dazed blog, members earn points with every purchase, and the program has three tiers, named Stoned, Blazed and Dazed, with better redemption value as you move up. “Membership is free and valid at all participating stores,” the post says, and you can join in the store or online.

Tips from the Dazed blog

The Dazed blog has plenty of practical advice for shoppers. Here are a few highlights.

Check the dates. In a post comparing smalls with full-size flower, Dazed advises checking harvest and package dates: “Fresher is better for both potency and terpene expression, regardless of size.”
Compare by the gram. The same post, and another on single pre-rolls versus multi-packs, both suggest comparing price per gram rather than package price.
Buy what you will finish. The pre-roll post says opened multi-packs lose freshness faster, so buy only what you expect to use within a few weeks.
Whole bud keeps longer. In a post on pre-ground flower versus whole bud, Dazed explains that grinding exposes more surface area, so pre-ground flower can lose moisture and aroma faster. Store either one in an airtight container, away from heat and light.
Go easy on kief. In its explainer on kief, hash and rosin, Dazed warns, “kief is significantly more potent than regular flower,” so use less than you expect the first time.

Plan your visit

Address. 399 Boston Road West, Monson, MA 01057, on Route 20.

Hours. Open every day, 8am to 11pm.

Phone. Dazed lists (917) 232-9869 on its website. You can also email info@dazed.fun.

Parking. Free parking in the shop’s own lot.

Adults 21+. Dazed is a recreational dispensary, so no medical card is needed. Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID showing you are 21 or older.

Follow along. Dazed posts updates and events on Instagram and Facebook.

Hours can change around holidays, so check the website before a late-night run.

Massachusetts cannabis basics

Here are the state rules from the Cannabis Control Commission:

Age. 21 or older, with a government-issued ID for every retail purchase.
Carrying. Up to two ounces in public.
At home. Up to 10 ounces, and anything over two ounces must be locked up.
Where to use it. Not in public places and not on federal land.
In the car. No open containers in the passenger area. Use a closed container in the trunk or a locked glove compartment, and never drive under the influence.
State lines. It is illegal to take cannabis out of Massachusetts, and it cannot be mailed.

Your first visit, step by step

Browse the menu online. Shop by price or potency, and select Monson at checkout.
Order ahead if you like. Pick up curbside or in the store.
Bring your ID. A valid, government-issued photo ID showing you are 21 or older.
Park in the lot. It is free, with no meters.
Go low and slow. Ask your budtender for guidance, start small and join the VIP Program on your way out.

Make a day of it in Monson

Monson is a small Hampden County town with 8,150 residents at the 2020 census, about 15 miles east of Springfield. Its first permanent settlers arrived in 1715, and the town was incorporated on August 23, 1775, the same day as nearby Ludlow. It is named for Sir John Monson, president of the British Board of Trade and a friend of Massachusetts governor Thomas Pownall.

The town has a sturdy working past. Its first granite quarry opened in 1809, and by 1900 the town’s granite works employed nearly 500 people. Woolen mills along Chicopee Brook, which runs north through the center of town to the Quaboag River, were among Monson’s most successful industries in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Education is a big part of the Monson story too. Monson Academy was founded in 1804, and in 1847 it became the first American school to enroll Chinese students. Abolitionist and suffragist Lucy Stone graduated from the academy, and Emily Norcross Dickinson, the mother of poet Emily Dickinson, was also from Monson.

Monson is a town that knows how to bounce back. On June 1, 2011, an EF3 tornado tore through, damaging 238 buildings and destroying 77 beyond repair. The town rebuilt, and its historic spots, including the First Church of Monson and Memorial Town Hall, are still worth a look.

If you want time outdoors, the town covers about 44.8 square miles, with Peaked Mountain and the area around Conant Brook Dam among its landmarks. Route 32 runs north and south through town as Main Street, and U.S. Route 20, home to Dazed, forms part of the town’s northern border with Palmer.

Why Dazed Cannabis Monson is worth the stop

A Route 20 landmark with a brand new pink sign, a team that wants cannabis to be fun and approachable, a menu you can shop by price or potency, free parking and hours that run until 11pm every day: Dazed brought something new to Monson and kept a little of the old place too. Pull into the lot and see it for yourself.

Cannabis is for adults 21 and over. Please consume responsibly.