[[“value”:”Amy Pagel & Eric Kinney
A new cannabis consumption lounge at 8464 Santa Monica Boulevard received unanimous approval from the West Hollywood Business License Commission on May 20, 2025, but not without stirring community tensions. The Cannabis Consumption Area License for EJK Industries LLC, led by Eric Kinney, allows smoking, vaping, and edibles at the site, reigniting debates over cannabis saturation and neighborhood impacts as the deadline for state permits arrives today, May 23, 2025.
Resident Pedro Ambrus, living just two blocks away, voiced strong opposition, warning of risks to the community’s well-being. “The presence of a consumption lounge may lead to increased noise, odor, loitering, and late-night disturbances,” Ambrus wrote in a public comment, echoing fears that “oversaturating the area with cannabis establishments threatens the character and balance of our neighborhood.” His concerns reflect a broader sentiment among some residents who feel the city’s cannabis expansion comes at a cost to their quality of life.
Yet, supporters see the lounge as a vital part of West Hollywood’s identity and economy. Genevieve Morrill, former chair of the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, urged the commission to embrace the city’s vision. “Cannabis, like it or hate it, is a legal industry now, and we have to stop criminalizing it,” Morrill said. She highlighted the risk of losing tax revenue to neighboring cities if the license were denied, a point Commissioner Cochran reinforced, noting the city’s geography makes it vulnerable to such losses.
The lounge, named Zen Cannabis, builds on a 20-year legacy at the location. Kinney, who operated Zen Healing since 2013 with no recorded violations, aims to transform the space into a community hub. Amy Pagel, a 16-year veteran of the commercial cannabis industry and the board Secretary of the Emerald Village cannabis trade and tourism association, represents EJK Industries. She shared the vision: “It’s an Amsterdam-style coffee shop right here in the community where people can come and chill out.” Evelyn Espinosa, a former Zen employee, emphasized its deep roots, saying, “We cultivated a very strong sense of community… Zen’s legacy should continue.”
To address resident concerns, the license imposes strict conditions. Two security guards will be on-site during operating hours (7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., potentially extending to 2:00 a.m. if state law allows), with one patrolling a two-block radius to curb loitering. Odor control relies on a dual filtration system—Rabbit Air purifiers and upgraded HVAC filters—ensuring no cannabis scent escapes the property. Consumption is banned in the rear parking lot, a past issue now mitigated by signage and security. Richard Maggio, a local supporter, suggested better lighting in the lot to reduce lingering, to which Pagel responded that motion-sensitive lighting is already in place, designed to avoid disturbing nearby apartments.
The approval marks the final Cannabis Consumption Area License of its category under West Hollywood’s ordinance, with today’s deadline for Kinney to secure state permits. While the decision advances the city’s cannabis vision, it also underscores ongoing tensions. Residents can voice ongoing concerns to the lounge’s designated community relations contact, ensuring their input shapes the city’s cannabis future.
“]] A new cannabis consumption lounge at 8464 Santa Monica Boulevard received unanimous approval from the West Hollywood Business License Commission on May 20, 2025, but not without stirring community tensions. … Read More
