When recreational cannabis was first legalized, Angelinos had no choice but to visit whichever dispensaries managed to snag the first available licenses. A few years on, now L.A. is jam-packed with retail weed shops, and many of them are even more stylish and sleek than the designer boutiques on Rodeo.
Whether you live in L.A. or are merely visiting, here are the best Los Angeles cannabis dispensaries, with the best atmosphere and best products in the city.
Sweet Flower
Filled with natural light and bright, natural wood, Sweet Flower truly feels like a wellness store out of Southern California — which, of course, it is. This dispensary places an emphasis on staff training, so every visit to Sweet Flower feels like you are utilizing a high-class cannabis concierge service. On the shelves, you will find a wide assortment of wellness-focused cannabis products, as well as a good number of BIPOC-owned labels to showcase diversity in the cannabis industry.
The Artist Tree
The Artist Tree strives to be a bit of everything: cannabis retail store, live event space, art gallery, activism hub. During the day, the dispensary’s lounge offers classes and at night, you can catch performances of music, poetry, comedy, dance, and more. Then again, if you can’t make it in person, you can catch the shop’s live streams on YouTube and Instagram, which has helped maintain the cannabis community even during the coronavirus pandemic. It should go without saying that the Artist Tree also offers some outstanding weed products, which it uses to raise awareness of the safety and benefits of bud.
Stiiizy
Pronounced “steezy” in reference to the hip hop term meaning “style with ease,” Stiiizy is indeed an effortlessly stylish place. Before it opened up shop, Stiiizy focused its efforts on making potent yet affordable vape pens with legendary terpene profiles, like Strawberry Cough and Granddaddy Purp. These are still available in the dispensary alongside a wide variety of high-quality partner brands. The dispensary itself feels like some kind of space capsule, which makes a visit feel special and fun.
The High Note
Located behind a bookcase door like an old-fashioned speakeasy, with a cozy vibe that makes the experience feel like a visit to the home of a good friend, the High Note is equal parts thrilling and comfortable. Though the dispensary might not be quite as aesthetic as other, high-profile pot shops, it is conveniently located, and it contains a comprehensive range of cannabis brands and products to satisfy any craving.
The Pottery
As the clever name suggests, the Pottery does the utmost to look and feel modern-deluxe — and it certainly succeeds. Despite its trendy atmosphere, this dispensary has some of the most knowledgeable staff and sources some of the best bud in town. Plus, the Pottery boasts an excellent membership rewards system, and it will deliver to a sizeable portion of the city without charging additional fees — proving that a dispensary can be too good and true.
Cookies
Cookies is one of the largest cannabis brands in the country. Founded by the breeder responsible for Girl Scout Cookies — one of the best and most legendary strains ever — Cookies sells all manner of flower, edibles, wax, and more. Undoubtedly you have seen Cookies merchandise all around L.A.; it isn’t exactly an underdog in the Los Angeles cannabis scene, but it is worth a visit if you’ve never been.
Sherbinskis
A bright orange shop with bright orange windows and a bright orange sign, Sherbinskis is hard to miss. This dispensary exudes luxury in everything from its layout to the quality of the brands on its shelves. Like Cookies, Sherbinskis is a massive brand itself, responsible for some beloved strains like Sunset Sherbert and all manner of Gelato. You might not want to make Sherbinskis your go-to dispensary unless your bud budget is high, but the experience of stepping into such an expensive pot space makes the trip worthwhile.
DELI by Caliva
With a vibe like a corner store out of 1950s, DELI strives to be a friendly (and hip) neighborhood cannabis dispensary. Stocked with all manner of stylish Caliva products and unbeatable prices, DELI makes it easy and convenient to find exactly what you need and feel good about your purchase.
