A West Hollywood cannabis shop co-owned by celebrities Woody Harrelson and Bill Maher was broken into during an early morning burglary that authorities believe is tied to a second failed robbery attempt the following night.
According to Fox News, two Los Angeles-area cannabis dispensaries, both linked to high-profile owners, were targeted in back-to-back burglary incidents involving the same group of masked suspects, authorities say.
Just before sunrise on Saturday, May 17, five individuals wearing masks smashed through the front entrance of The Woods WeHo, a cannabis dispensary and lounge located in West Hollywood, California. The business is jointly run by actor Woody Harrelson, television host Bill Maher, and former tennis star John McEnroe.
The break-in occurred at approximately 4:30 a.m., according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Investigators believe the suspects took between $2,000 and $3,000 in merchandise during the burglary before fleeing the scene. No injuries were reported. Surveillance footage of the burglary was shared on social media by Elliot Lewis, the founder and CEO of Catalyst Cannabis, who is affiliated with the ownership group. The video showed the moment the suspects broke through the glass entryway and stormed the premises.
Instagram Video Highlights Growing Concerns
In a caption alongside the video posted on Instagram, Lewis voiced frustration about what he sees as a lack of accountability for such crimes. “Does nobody care about the people trying to build something up?” he wrote. “They seem to only care about those trying to destroy… Please bring back some common sense.”
Lewis further addressed the crime wave in an Instagram reel following the second attempted burglary. “Shots fired! Shots fired!” he exclaimed. He expressed concern about increasing security risks in the cannabis industry and the broader city of Los Angeles. "Years of bad policy have led us to this," he added in the video. "There have to be consequences for the Jack Boys. Somebody is going to get hurt. Somebody is going to get killed. Let's get some common sense and bring back some deterrents."
Back-To-Back Incidents Under Investigation
On the night of Sunday, May 18, the same group of suspects is believed to have attempted a second robbery at ERBA Markets, another dispensary partially owned by Harrelson, Maher, and McEnroe. ERBA Markets is also located in the Los Angeles area and shares ties with the same broader ownership team as The Woods WeHo.
However, the outcome was different this time. As the suspects approached the premises, they were confronted by an armed security guard. The guard opened fire before the group could enter the building. The suspects quickly fled the scene. Law enforcement reported that nothing was taken during the second incident, and no injuries were reported. The security guard’s intervention is believed to have thwarted the planned burglary attempt.
Authorities Track Suspects' Patterns Across Raids
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed that investigators believe both incidents involved the same five individuals. The suspects were reported to be dressed similarly in each case and reportedly had physical builds of roughly the same description.
Authorities continue to review surveillance footage and other available evidence. As of June 1, none of the suspects have been identified or apprehended. The sheriff's department is urging anyone with information to come forward. Despite the attention the incidents have garnered, neither Harrelson nor Maher has issued a public statement regarding the burglaries. Representatives for both celebrities have not responded to media requests for comment as of this writing.
Industry Figures Urge Greater Protection
Lewis, a prominent figure in California's cannabis industry, used his platform to highlight not just the personal impact of the break-ins but what he considers a larger trend of vulnerability faced by legal dispensaries. He expressed concern over what he views as under-policing and the lack of deterrents for criminal activity targeting licensed cannabis businesses.
Local business owners and advocates argue that cannabis dispensaries, due to their cash-heavy operations and product value, are becoming increasingly frequent targets for theft and vandalism. These risks have led many to call for improved security measures and policy changes to better protect businesses operating within legal frameworks. In his social media comments, Lewis emphasized the risk of violence resulting from ongoing criminal activity. “Somebody is going to get hurt," he said. He called on both lawmakers and local leaders to reconsider the safety protocols in place for cannabis storefronts.
Larger Discussion Around Legal Cannabis Safety
As the cannabis industry continues to grow in California and other U.S. states, tensions around law enforcement, regulation, and public safety persist. High-profile partners such as Harrelson and Maher entering the market have brought increased visibility, but industry leaders argue that visibility alone doesn't ensure protection.
The back-to-back burglaries of two cannabis shops tied to celebrity names have reignited conversations around how municipalities manage the security of dispensaries. With the suspects still at large, many in the local business community remain on alert. While authorities are following up on leads and reviewing video evidence, it remains unclear when or if arrests will be made. For now, the two incidents serve as reminders of the challenges that continue to face even the most reputable cannabis operators in California.
