Hours after the West Hollywood City council voted to add four sheriff deputies to the city budget, a robbery took place on the Sunset Strip. Urbn Leaf dispensary at 8477 W. Sunset Blvd, in West Hollywood was a target of a smash and grab burglary at approximately 4 a.m. on Tuesday, May 16. The dispensary was reportedly robbed by 12 males wearing ski masks who broke the store window with a crowbar and stole multiple bags of cannabis.
“Smash-and-grab robberies have been on the upswing for cannabis dispensaries throughout California in recent years, at the same time the industry is grappling with surmounting taxes implemented by the state,” reads an email from a representative.
“We are devastated that Urbn Leaf WeHo was targeted in this attack, however we are well aware that we are not the only cannabis dispensary that has suffered this loss,” said Ed Schmults, CEO of Urbn Leaf. “Due to the product we carry we are more vulnerable to break ins than traditional retailers, and as the state continues to raise taxes on cannabis businesses our ability to protect ourselves is marginalized. As tax paying businesses, cannabis dispensaries deserve the same protection from authorities granted to traditional storefronts.”
Sol Yamini, owner of convenience delivery retailer Pink Dot in West Hollywood, neighbor and business partner of Urbn Leaf dispensary said, “We chose to partner with Urbn Leaf because of the care and quality they provide their customers. They are normalizing the cannabis shopping experience to be [unlike] any other retail store and have been a great addition to the Sunset Strip. There is no doubt in my mind that they deserve the same protections as traditional retailers, and our team at Pink Dot will continue to speak out on their behalf particularly in the face of adversity.”
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West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station polices the City of West Hollywood and the unincorporated communities of Franklin Canyon, Universal City (which includes Universal Theme Park, Studios, and Citywalk), and the Federal Enclave in West Los Angeles.
