The 81 year old, who is a proud pot smoker, is planning to launch the dispensaries throughout America, where cannabis consumption has been decriminalised in many states for medicinal purposes.

Nelson's business partner, Michael Bowman, tells Thedailybeast.com, "Willie has spent a lifetime in support of cannabis, both the industrial hemp side and the marijuana side. He wants it to be something that's reflective of his passion. Ultimately, it's his. But it was developed by his family, and their focus on environmental and social issues, and in particular this crazy war on drugs, and trying to be a bright light amongst this trail as we're trying to extract ourselves from the goo of prohibition. Really he wants it, at the end of the day, to envelop what his personal morals and convictions are.

"So from the store itself to how they'll work with suppliers and how things are operated, it's going to be very reflective of Willie's life. Right now, we'll focus on the states where legalisation has occurred, and as new states open up, those opportunities will present themselves on a state-by-state basis. Or until the feds do something!"

The store will also sell branded marijuana paraphernalia.