
A new cannabis dispensary from Viola Brands will open its first Chicago-area location this week, adding another pot shop to Illinois’ burgeoning legal weed market — and a diverse group of entrepreneurs to the state’s troubled industry rollout.
Viola Chi is led by Dan Pettigrew, a Hyde Park cannabis industry veteran, and business partner Al Lomax. Pettigrew co-founded Viola Brands with former NBA star Al Harrington in Denver in 2011. Hall of Famer Allen Iverson is a partner.