Cannabis bakery tests Logan Square’s appetite for culture, community and health

When Abid Ashiqali opened Blazed Bakery in Logan Square at the end of February 2024, he wanted to do more than sell cookies. He aimed to redefine who gets to lead the cannabis industry, and what that business can look like.

“The cannabis world is predominantly white male–owned,” said Ashiqali, a South Asian American who grew up in Rogers Park. “We wanted to bring a different element that could be enjoyed — something community-based and safe.”

Illinois legalized adult-use marijuana in 2020. With more than $1.72 billion in adult-use sales in 2024, the state’s annual diversity survey now reports that diversity is increasing, with Black-owned companies rising to 30%, up from 0% in 2020.

Ashiqali joins his peers to drive that change in minority market share, and he hopes to make his newly opened business a space that celebrates diversity and art while maintaining a high standard for health and safety.

“Typically, cannabis is only related to just getting high,” he said. “But we wanted people to get a chance to connect, let down their guard, be creative and have a sense of community.”

Since opening, the bakery has hosted more than 100 events — from drag shows and yoga to Spanish poetry nights and chess meetups — most of them free and recurring.

“People talk about us, and people want to be a part of something that we’re trying to achieve,” Ashiqali said. “We try to make relationships that are continuous. We’re more than just a transaction.”

The Logan Square Chamber of Commerce has noticed the potential and shown support through co-hosting events like financial workshops at the store.

Nilda Esparza, the chamber’s executive director, said the bakery “stands out because they do more engagement than others,” sponsoring community events like the Arts Fest and partnering with local organizations.

Inside, the bakery’s design encourages mingling, with movable furniture, shelves of board games and an open layout.

Sarah Mann, 34, a visitor to Logan Square, called the space “very cozy and embracing.” She said she appreciated the diversified options offered and added, “It’s better that it’s regulated — you know what’s going into it.”

Carlos Hernandez, 30, from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, said he enjoyed having an infused chai latte and his favorite red-velvet cookie while also noting that buyers need to be careful.

“The food tastes really good, and I really like the idea of infusing cannabis with basically any kind of food,” Hernandez said. “The only concern I would add is some people don’t know their own tolerance, so they might buy too many products and regret it later.”

Each item on the menu is carefully crafted, from vegan cookies to infused rice crispies, with clear labeling of dosage, according to Ashiqali. He said his team spent a long journey ensuring that “every product has a certification of analysis,” since he wanted customers to “know exactly what they’re consuming.”

Rafael Portillo, 32, from Durham, North Carolina, said he didn’t see any negative influence of Blazed Bakery on Logan Square’s community health.

“I think it gives a different option per se, comparing cannabis to alcohol,” Portillo said, “I have never even heard of this store before coming this time, but what I’ve seen it’s a good experience, very chill and relaxing.”