Hightimes will re-open shuttered WeHo cannabis consumption lounge

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Hightimes, the cannabis brand and parent company of High Times magazine, will reopen a former consumption lounge in West Hollywood.

The Business License Commission on Tuesday greenlit a partial transfer of one of the city’s limited cannabis consumption area licenses into Hightimes’ ownership.

The license was originally granted in 2019 to Flore Flora, at the time the nation’s first full-service cannabis consumption lounge, according to the staff report. Flore Flora closed in March 2020, when all non-essential businesses were shut down at the beginning of the COVID pandemic, and never reopened.  

Ownership of Flore Flora changed by 26.27 percent between 2019 and 2020, but the city’s labyrinthine rules regarding cannabis businesses forced the company to request a variance from the Business License Commission to transfer an additional ​58.73 percent of the company, the maximum allowed under the variance process for a business that has not been in continual operation for two years. 

The process of transferring ownership of cannabis business licenses has been criticized by some in the community because it disadvantages those who applied for licenses when they were originally offered but were not selected.

The current owners and Hightimes intend to re-open the establishment as it was at the time of closure, except for changes in furniture and lighting. 

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“This is our backyard,”  CEO Paul Henderson told the Commission about his company’s first foray into cannabis sales. “Historically, we explain that we connect consumers with brands, right? So it was on the pages of the magazines. Then it was at events where people actually explore and understand new movements in cannabis and strains and growing and vape pens and everything. And so now we do that in a retail format. And we’re very excited about this because this is the first move into consumption lounges. And so it’s a little bit of a different form. But it’s really sales of cannabis. It’s what we know best. Our brand I think is going to do the city proud.”

The owners were questioned about a set of civil lawsuits but ultimately the commissioners were convinced that the project was in good hands. They approved the variance with a caveat that the company return before the Commission in six months for a review of procedures and any complaints.

NOTE: Address is 1201 La Brea. Thank you, readers!

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TruthSayer59
TruthSayer59
2 years ago

What could go wrong? Cookies much?

Curtis
Curtis
2 years ago

I like that Ralph’s so I will check this restaurant out

Legalities
Legalities
2 years ago

https://weho.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=&event_id=1374&meta_id=236410

Steve Martin Public Comment to Business License Commission.

Jeff
2 years ago

Was there ever any update to this story about the CA Attorney General filing charges against the organization that founded this restaurant? I don’t think the title should be transferred until this is all explained.

https://la.eater.com/2019/12/30/21043115/cannabis-consumption-lounge-west-hollywood-lawsuit-lowell-original-cannabis-cafe

Legalities
Legalities
2 years ago
Reply to  Jeff

This may have been too complex for the Business License Commissioners to contemplate. Even though Steve Martin wrote a Public Comment to the commission, as usual they waived the applicant through and then said the there would be a review after 6 months. Don’t put off what is apparently necessary to be done today.

Observer
Observer
2 years ago

You now have noted the address but you only stated La Brea. There is a North La Brea (location of this site) but there is also a South La Brea. You need to be more accurate in your reporting.

David Reid
David Reid
2 years ago
Reply to  Observer

Most WeHoans know no “South” addresses in the land of odds.

Correct Address?
Correct Address?
2 years ago

Is 1201 N La Brea @ Lexington the correct address?

Observer
Observer
2 years ago

It would be helpful if you included the address of this location.

Art
Art
2 years ago

No address?!?

Steve
Steve
2 years ago

I hope they improve the aesthetics on the La Brea and Lexington facing sides. It always looked like a dirty boarded up building except for the lines around the corner of people waiting to get in. They should open it up and make it look more pedestrian friendly. I mean they have security so why the 10 foot tall wood wall?

Jim Nasium
Jim Nasium
2 years ago

I hear “Drunk Days” is opening up in the old Starbucks location.

R G
R G
2 years ago
Reply to  Jim Nasium

“Drunk *Daze” :>