America has loved Woody Harrelson for nearly 40 years. He’s been nominated for scads of awards as an actor, including three Academy Awards and four Golden Globes, and he’s been speaking out about his passion for legalizing hemp and cannabis for as long as he’s been onscreen.
In 2003, Harrelson took to the road to spread the message of individual action on climate change with a caravan of environmental activists in a hemp oil-fueled biodiesel bus (check out the documentary). He received an honorary degree from York University for his work in environmental education, sustainability, and activism. And he was just honored with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at the 18th Emerald Cup (check out our coverage here)!
Small wonder, then, that Woody Harrelson’s flagship dispensary in West Hollywood, The Woods, features an eco-friendly design and plenty of great sungrown cannabis from legendary cultivators and legacy farmers — it’s right in tune with his own modern hippie vibe.
A view of the dispensary on opening day. (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Woods) About The Woods
The Woods dispensary sits at the heart of what West Hollywood has dubbed the Emerald Village — a nod to Northern California’s famed Emerald Triangle of Mendocino, Humboldt and Trinity counties. The storefront was redesigned by famed interior designer Thomas Schoos, and features masses of reclaimed wood and greenery in an airy space with massive skylights. I got a peek at the outdoor space behind the store that Harrelson is planning to turn into a consumption lounge in the near future (which, when opened, will ensure that I basically live here since it’s in my neighborhood). It was breezy and bright like the rest of the space. All in all, The Woods is set up to be a go-to spot for well-heeled WeHo cannabis enthusiasts.
The grand opening was attended by city officials and featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony — which seems wild when you consider that the governor of Delaware just vetoed a measure that would have legalized personal possession of cannabis. Ahem, anyyyyway, West Hollywood gave Harrelson and The Woods team a super warm welcome, including an official city proclamation from Mayor Lauren Meister.
Huzzah, The Woods is open! (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Woods)
Once the dispensary was officially open for business, guests poured in to browse the selection of products in sparkling glass cases against the backdrop of a lovely mural by MuckRock. Staffers roamed the space, checking in with guests to see if they needed help in selecting products. The event felt like a community mixer, with shoppers and members from the cannabis industry mingling with officials from the WeHo Fire Department and Sheriff’s office. It was a vibe, as they say.
What’s on the Menu at The Woods?
A central feature of The Woods dispensary is its Sun+Earth certified display of products. Sun+Earth certified cannabis brands are holistically, responsibly, and regeneratively grown, and many of them give a portion of their profits back to the cannabis community; one well-loved company, Brother David’s, puts 100 percent of its profits towards protecting and promoting small-scale family farms. Plus, an eighth of Brother David’s Blueberry Muffins goes for an extremely reasonable $33 — a serious score in LA. Humboldt legends (and recent Emerald Cup winners) Huckleberry Hill Farms are on the menu with their proprietary Whitethorn Rose and Mom's Weed (both a steal at $58 for 7g).
Sun+Earth certified brands on display. (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Woods)
The Woods also carries fan-favorite indoor grown brands like Alien Labs ($64 for an eighth of Biskante) and Cannabiotix ($74 for an eighth of extremely delicious Cereal Milk). The store’s selection of edibles is top-notch, with P&B Kitchen’s new line of solventless hash gummies and rosin chocolates (the Coconut Caramel Milk Chocolate Bar is something else) alongside industry heavies like Kiva and Kanha (love their fast-acting Nano gummies!). And there’s something for every concentrate lover, with an admirable selection of diamonds, live resin, shatter, sauces and sugars from brands like Raw Garden, Proof, Himalaya and Praise Cannabis.
There’s also a decent assortment of pre-rolls and cartridges, but they’re not the main event as they are at other stores that cater to folks who shop based on THC percentage. At The Woods, your attention is directed to whole flower first, which makes for a pleasant shopping experience; unfortunately, due to regulations and Covid restrictions, you can’t sniff before you buy, but you can eyeball samples, and the knowledgeable staff is on hand to chat about cannabinoids and terp profiles.
The Woods is open daily from 8am to 10pm, with online ordering available for curbside pickup from 9am to 9pm. The website has a recreational menu (21+, no medical card needed) as well a medical menu for patients.
The Woods Lights Up West Hollywood
Plenty of celebs have weed brands; some lend their name to a product without any further involvement, while others, like Harrelson, are super hands-on. The Woods feels perfectly curated to further his mission of saving the planet through cannabis and hemp, supporting small farmers and sustainable agriculture, and staying high and chill throughout.
Opening day felt like the beginning of an amazing venture for Harrelson and the Los Angeles cannabis community. And the grand opening party, held two doors down at the delightful restaurant Norah, was buzzing with notable folks including Harrelson’s buds Bill Maher (who’s an investor in The Woods), Ziggy Marley, Kid from the iconic duo Kid N’ Play, and more. We were treated to an open bar and yummy hors d'oeuvres, and I felt that West Hollywood glow, which intensified when I slipped out to smoke a joint at magic hour and stroll down Santa Monica Boulevard to meet a friend for dinner. I’ll be back for some more Blueberry Muffins soon.
Visit The Woods at 8271 Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood, CA 90046, or online at thewoodsweho.com.
The man himself. (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Woods)