Woody Harrelson and Bill Maher's West Hollywood Pot Shop Burglarized in Smash-and-Grab

May 20 2025

From left: Thomas Schoos, Bill Maher and Woody Harrelson attend "The Woods" Opening Day in West Hollywood, California, on May 13, 2022. (Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The Woods)

In the early hours of May 20, 2025, a cannabis dispensary in West Hollywood owned by actor Woody Harrelson and comedian Bill Maher was the target of a brazen smash-and-grab burglary. The shop, known as *The Woods*, located at 8271 Santa Monica Boulevard, is a high-end marijuana lounge and dispensary that has gained attention not only for its celebrity backing but also for its luxurious, open-air setting designed to offer a unique cannabis experience.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), a group of five individuals wearing ski masks and gloves used blunt tools to smash through the dispensary’s glass front door around 3:00 AM. The suspects gained access quickly and managed to steal an estimated $3,000 worth of cannabis products and paraphernalia. Surveillance footage from the store captured the suspects in action, although their faces were fully obscured, making identification difficult.

Authorities believe this robbery may not have been an isolated incident. Just hours later, the same group allegedly attempted to break into another dispensary, ERBA Markets, which is partially owned by the same business group behind The Woods. However, in this second attempt, the suspects were met with an armed security guard who confronted them. After a warning shot was fired, the suspects quickly retreated, fleeing the scene in a dark-colored SUV. No injuries were reported during either incident.

LAPD officials are now investigating both crimes as likely connected. A spokesperson for the department stated, “We are working under the assumption that the same group is responsible for both attempts, and we are analyzing all available surveillance footage and witness statements.” Investigators are also reviewing footage from nearby businesses and traffic cameras in an attempt to track the suspects’ escape route.

The news has generated significant media attention due to the involvement of Harrelson and Maher, though neither celebrity has released a public statement about the robbery. *The Woods* had been celebrated as a progressive step in normalizing cannabis culture, offering customers a serene space with koi ponds, bamboo decor, and an eco-conscious retail philosophy. Since its launch in 2022, it has served as both a dispensary and a social hub for the West Hollywood community.

Local business owners have expressed concern over the recent spike in dispensary-targeted crimes, particularly given the rise in value and volume of cannabis products stored on-site. Dispensaries, which are often cash-heavy businesses due to federal banking restrictions, have increasingly become attractive targets for criminal groups.

“Dispensaries are being hit hard, and this is becoming a pattern,” said a nearby shop owner. “Even with security and surveillance, it’s tough to stop a determined group of thieves. It’s a wake-up call for the industry.”

The LAPD is urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. In the meantime, security has reportedly been increased at The Woods and other dispensaries in the area, with owners reevaluating their safety protocols and storage procedures.

This incident adds to the growing challenges faced by cannabis retailers in California, who not only navigate heavy regulations and taxes but now must contend with organized theft targeting their businesses. As the industry continues to grow and attract high-profile investors and celebrities, so too does its exposure to criminal risks, prompting calls for better protection and stronger collaboration between dispensary owners and local law enforcement.