About Us

More than five decades ago, two men walked into a bar —

A teacher from a working class neighborhood and a Cuban refugee turned bartender.

They fell in love and together opened what would become an iconic bar, co-founded an LGBTQ+ rights organization, and a sparked passion that helped establish a queer neighborhood.

Later in life, they met a woman, a Black veteran fighting for cannabis legalization and social equity.

A love for good weed and a flare for fiery activism made for a match like no other.

Together, they’ve created a new space for their communities—SWAY.

A dispensary on Northalsted that’s rooted in the values that drive them in love and in life.

 

Welcome to SWAY.

SWAY like feel it in your body, let yourself move.

SWAY, like ooh they found their power, they’re making change.

SWAY like where you can find the first queer- and BIPOC-owned dispensary in the state

It’s this SWAY. Our SWAY.

SWAY is built on the strong, sassy shoulders of those who came before. The queer rule-breakers who fought for medicinal weed as a remedy against HIV. The Black and Brown activists breaking down barriers to weed, despite bearing the brunt of over-criminalization and prosecution.