Woody Harrelson’s new cannabis lounge, The Woods, is open

There was a happy mood for Friday the 13th at the grand opening of cannabis consumption lounge The Woods, owned by actor and cannabis entrepreneur Woody Harrelson. The redesigned storefront in West Hollywood, California is one of the first in a series of consumer establishments slated to open in the city over the next two years.

“It’s the most promising day, so we did it today,” Harrelson told the High Times. He detailed the years-long process that eventually led to the sunlit square on Santa Monica Boulevard.

“It was even years before that because my friend and partner Samba (pharmacy owner Devon “Samba” Wheeler) – he has three pharmacies now, ERBA Markets – was a good friend of mine anyway before he even got into this stuff and he spoke to me: ‘You know, you should do it.’

“And I was like, ‘I don’t know what if the FBI decides to crack down? How are you?’ It just depends on how aggressive the administration is. So, it just felt a little too delicate. Then he convinced me and we started looking for places – years ago we started looking for places. A place on Sunset, here and there, Malibu, everywhere. I came and saw this place with him and I think this is the most beautiful place; I went and hung out in the back – it’s not really open yet – there’s a koi pond, tropical plants.”

Courtesy of Joanne Cachapero

The new lounge’s showroom is white with exposed brick and beams, lots of wood (of course) and large enough to accommodate a crowd of event attendees. The doors were officially opened with a dedication ceremony and the presentation of a welcome certificate from the City of West Hollywood by Mayor Lauren Meister. Several city officials were also there, along with media and cannabis industry insiders, some of them in Los Angeles to attend this weekend’s Emerald Cup event. Harrelson is scheduled to judge at the event.

A longtime advocate, Harrelson said he will continue to support federal cannabis legalization and law reforms, particularly for those currently incarcerated on cannabis charges.

“If advocacy means opening my mouth, then I will continue to do so,” Harrelson said.

“It’s absurd,” he continued. “There are these things called consensual crimes or victimless crimes, and those are the crimes that don’t harm anyone but the person committing the crime, right? Like gambling, drugs, prostitution. In my opinion, as long as you don’t harm anyone or their property, you should be able to do whatever you want. I don’t condone gambling or drugs or anything – just saying that in a real, free society that should pretty much be the definition. The government is trying to say, “We’re going to put you in jail,” which they’ve been doing for so many years, “because you like marijuana.” That’s pretty absurd and, in my opinion, pretty over the top.”