The 25 most-read Los Angeles Times cannabis stories of 2021
In 1996, California became the first U.S. state to legalize access to medical marijuana, lighting the fuse on a movement that, a quarter of a century later, finds recreational cannabis use by those 21 and older legal in 18 states and the District of Columbia.
In a nod to the Golden State’s 25-year-long experiment with legal weed (recreational possession and consumption was approved at the ballot box in November 2016, and legal recreational sales began across the state on Jan. 1, 2018), here’s a look at the 25 most-read, cannabis-related stories published by the Los Angeles Times in 2021, listed in descending order.
The wide range of stories that touch on everything from illegal desert pot farms to YouTube weed influencers reflects how much a part of the Golden State’s pop-culture landscape the plant has become. And if you don’t see your favorite weed-focused story of the last year below (two of my favorites — one about the origins of the Proto Pipe, the other an explainer on minor cannabinoids — didn’t quite make the cut), you can always head over to The Times’ recently revamped online archive of cannabis content and scroll until your eyes glaze over (so to speak).
That’s also where you’ll find episodes of a new Los Angeles Times video series, the Green Room, which explores California’s cannabis commerce and culture.
Los Angeles will be the biggest beneficiary of the money, which was proposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom to help cannabis businesses acquire permanent licenses.
Illegal marijuana grows have exploded across the California desert, along with forced labor, ecological destruction and fear
Digital waves, interactive sand and more await at California’s newest — and biggest — cannabis dispensary.
L.A. County Dist. Atty. George Gascón will dismiss the marijuana-related convictions of nearly 60,000 people and seek to have their criminal records sealed.
Vexed by the cultivation of black market marijuana, Siskiyou County authorities banned the transport of water to a largely Asian subdivision.
From art galleries and speakeasies to deli themes and circus vibes, dispensaries have gone next-level.
Taking cannabis from seed to sesh connected me to the plant in ways I hadn’t expected.
The longtime collaborators go from ‘Superbad’ to superb bud with the U.S. launch of their weed brand, Houseplant.
After Sha’Carri Richardson was effectively banned from running the 100 meters at the Olympics, people are angrily asking why authorities still consider marijuana a prohibited substance.
Cannabis entrepreneurs complain that the sluggish rollout of L.A.’s social equity program is hurting some of the people it was supposed to help.
Cannabis-containing comestibles for almost every diet
Five years in, L.A.-based cannabis content creators Alice and Clark Campbell are just getting started.
With cannabis long deemed a medicine in California, workers at most marijuana shops are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations as healthcare workers.
With celebrity backing, West Hollywood is making a new cannabis push with pot shops of all varieties and an international rebrand as Emerald Village.
The city of Huntington Park has placed most of its finance department on leave, sparking claims of retaliation.
Reports are increasing of dogs getting stoned on walks through their neighborhoods, possibly by ingesting discarded or dropped cannabis edibles.
Grab your edibles and press play: Hulu’s highly entertaining new docuseries is the perfect binge to celebrate 4/20.
From new twists on old favorites to high-tech for the high life, presents for all the pot people on your list.
Jazz Pharmaceuticals’ $7.2-billion purchase of GW Pharmaceuticals last week is the biggest tie-up yet for the cannabis industry. And it’s probably just the beginning.
Mother-son pot entrepreneurs? Vape pens that match your track pants? We have questions.
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The Olympic contender Sha’Carri Richardson was disqualified for a drug that doesn’t even enhance performance.
A high-profile figure in the Central Coast marijuana industry will plead guilty to bribery, the first charges made public in an ongoing investigation.
Stoney Slice’s mind-altering, palate-pleasing pies combine imported flour, local mozzarella and cannabis-infused olive oil.
NBA legends Allen Iverson and Al Harrington are stepping into their second act. But their partnership goes beyond collaborating on a marijuana business venture.
From rose-petal pre-rolls (Pasadena) to OG Kush (downtown L.A.), travel the Southland from your couch with cannabis.
