Juliet Bennett Rylah

In the state of California, cannabis has been legal for adults 21 and older since the start of 2018. If you’re curious but still haven’t taken a trip to your friendly, neighborhood pot shop, it may seem like a daunting task. But rest assured, most shops are extremely chill and any good dispensary’s budtenders should be prepared to answer all your questions. Here’s what you need to know before you go—and the best spots to shop in neighborhoods like Downtown L.A., Hollywood and more. Who can buy it? Anyone who is 21 or older and has a valid, unexpired, government-issued I.D. to prove it. You do not need to be a California resident to buy cannabis in California. If you’re visiting from another state or country, your driver’s license or passport will work. What forms of cannabis are available? Flower: The most common form of cannabis will be the dried flower buds from the plant. Flower can be smoked in a pipe, bong or rolled up in a joint. If you don’t know how to roll one yourself, dispensaries do sell pre-rolled joints. Vaporizers: Vaporizers or vape pens are often small and discreet. Some are disposable, while others are rechargeable and allow for replaceable cannabis oil cartridges. Edibles: Edibles come in many varieties, including cookies, candies, brownies, teas, juices and more. It takes longer for these to kick in, and it’s highly advised that newbies consume no more than 5 to 10 milligrams of THC at a time and wait at least two hours before consuming more. Concentrates:

Cider, whether dry or sweet, is a perfect refresher. Traditionally made from apples, though sometimes utilizing pears and other fruit, it's an ideal way to sample California's bounty—no apple picking necessary—with a little bit of booze. Here's where to fall in love with every glass—and the fabulous cider houses, meaderies, beer bars and breweries serving it—all year long.

We scoured the best coffee shops, gay bars, libraries and more to find L.A.’s most accepting spots to hang out, learn and party.

If you need any proof that 2018 is shaping up to be an exciting year in Los Angeles, look no further than these restaurant openings, milestone events and city-improving projects.

Though one might prefer the feel of an independently run dispensary, publicly traded MedMen is one of the easiest dispensaries for a first-timer as it feels very much like a traditional store. Their storefront locations allow anyone feeling apprehensive to look right in and see patrons browsing the displays, while iPads provide all the pertinent information about every product. They also have multiple locations, including Downtown L.A., West Hollywood, Venice, Beverly Hills and near LAX.

This Valley shop is a friendly place for first-time buyers and advanced cannabis users alike. It’s located in a strip mall between a CrossFit gym and a wine and spirits shop and thus has ample parking, including complimentary valet. The lobby is bright and open, the budtenders are friendly and the selection is solid. Plus, the W.E.E.D.’s walls often double as a gallery space, allowing a glimpse at new work from local artists while you browse.

The Pottery is so cute, you could take your grandparents there. The airy shop’s cannabis products are displayed in bright, waist-high cases and their amicable budtenders are there to help. In their black-and-white tiled “coffee corner,” they also stock candles, soaps, and other gift-worthy items. Though it’s worth the trip to browse, the Pottery also does delivery.

A tidy shop located just off the 101 in Hollywood, the Kind Center has a neatly displayed, ample selection. Their knowledgeable staff is always happy to show first-timers and tourists around the shop’s wares. Check their website for daily deals and, should you become a regular, you can join the Kind Center’s free loyalty program.

Toluca Lake Collective (TLC) is run by cultivators the Jungle Boys, with everything grown, pressed and packaged in-house. This is a great shop for finding interesting, quality strains, with available selections clearly displayed on a digital screen. You can browse Jungle Boys’ apparel line here, too.

Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group hosts a chilling series of vignettes. Armed with a shoddy flashlight to illuminate their path, guests navigate a labyrinth of terror before enduring a series of shocking scenes (over the course of roughly 35 minutes) that will unsettle even the most stoic of horror fans.

This multi-sensory haunt from Bone Yard Effects unfurls via a short film (which you can watch online) followed by an on-site virtual reality experience. It culminates in real life inside the Black House, a sprawling Victorian home. Oh, and scaredy cats beware: You must enter all alone.

If you've ever had someone tell you their weed smells like blueberries, it's likely they're talking about terpenes: the oils that exist in a variety of plants, and cannabis is no exception. These oils are what give various strains their distinctive scents, whether they're fruity, floral, funky or earthy. But full disclosure: terpenes won't get you high. To get the psychotropic effects associated with cannabis, you need the THC. Still, some believe that terpenes have various, other beneficial effects, including anti-inflammation and anti-anxiety properties, and decreasing your stress. Then there’s cannabidiol, known as CBD. Like THC, it's a chemical compound found in the marijuana plant, but without the psychotropic effects. You’ll often see it delivered as an oil, and various studies indicate numerous benefits, including anticonvulsant, anti-anxiety and antipsychotic properties.  And it's blowing up. Last week, Lagunitas Brewing Co. debuted an IPA with terpenes called SuperCritical, which you can now find here in L.A. Lagunitas, along with El Silencio Mezcal, currently has a pop-up bar in the weed-centric art show, Think Tank Gallery's Drinkin', Smokin' & West Coastin': A Group Love/Hate Letter to L.A. Running now through September 23, the show explores '80s and '90s Los Angeles via art, installations and a host of  immersive events. The bar is titled DMV Dive Bar, and features DMV-esque seating, vintage arcade games and a loop of L.A. car chases.  Locally, you can score a S

One of Los Angeles’ most surreal and unsettling Halloween attractions returns to Downtown L.A. this fall with a 75-minute tour through your worst nightmares. And then, you can go eat oysters. Since its debut in 2015, Creep LA, the flagship show from immersive attraction company Just Fix It Productions, has been a favorite haunt among seasoned Halloween enthusiasts, often selling out. While employing some of the trappings of the walk-through mazes found at Knott’s Scary Farm and Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, Creep doesn’t just funnel people in a conga line through a smattering of jump scares. Instead, Creep is a much slower, more psychological encounter, luring guests from vignette to vignette as a horrifying narrative slowly unfolds. Oh, and sometimes the monsters touch you just a little. This year’s show, Awake, is a literal nightmare, taking place in a dreamworld made incarnate. It’s also a much longer show, at 75 minutes, than previous runs. Groups of 25 at a time will be led through a series of surreal rooms, each one its own multi-sensory horror. We’re also told there may be some “intimate encounters,” which may allude to the one-on-one scenes Creep shows typically contain in which lucky guests are secreted away from their group by performers. Creep’s first year was all about what it meant to be a non-supernatural “creep.” At one point, a little girl beckoned select guests to break away from their group so she could tell them about her best, best, best friend—whom

As Californians become more comfortable with cannabis, many wellness and beauty companies are experimenting with the plant, too. Studies have already indicated cannabinoids, including CBD and THC, may have anti-inflammatory properties beneficial for numerous skin conditions, and may aid with pain relief. If your interest is piqued, here are some local options for adding cannabis into your daily wellness routines. Yoga At Lit Yoga Studio, each 75-minute class begins with a 15-minute tea ceremony, during which participants may consume cannabis in a variety of forms. According to Hannah Mason, who founded Lit with Julian Brand in May of 2017, “Cannabis has a quality that brings people internal and more into their bodies, so we find...it allows [students] to be more present with their bodily sensations.” Guests leave with a small cannabis gift—perhaps a pre-rolled joint or an edible—for use with their practice at home. Lit Yoga Studio is located at a private address in Venice, which will be revealed to students after booking a class. Single classes are $25, or $150 for an unlimited monthly pass. Photograph: Courtesy Lit Yoga Studio   Mani-Pedis Nail salon Bellacures began offering cannabis mani-pedis at their numerous locations in late 2017. Canna-cures are enhanced with CBD-infused KushQueen products, including a CBD bath bomb, scrub and “melt” pain relief lotion. The latter is applied via massage and leaves behind a relaxing tingling sensation, thanks in part to menthol and c

For couples looking to incorporate a little greenery into their weddings, the Cannabis Wedding Expo promises to be a one-stop wedding planning destination. Co-founders Philip Wolf and Bec Koop launched the Cannabis Wedding Expo (CWE) in Denver in 2016 with about 30 vendors and 300 attendees, before also expanding to San Francisco in 2017. On March 3, the expo will come to the Los Angeles area for the first time. Both Wolf and Koop are entrepreneurs with experience working in Colorado dispensaries. Wolf founded culinary cannabis company Cultivating Spirits, while Koop is the co-owner of Irie Wedding and Events with CWE partner Madlyne Kelly. Wolf says that when he and Koop met, she was making cannabis bouquets, but often found herself unable to participate in traditional wedding expos or, at times, being charged more than other vendors. So, the pair thought, why not start their own 420-friendly expo? Photograph: Courtesy Cannabis Wedding Expo   Previous expos have been well-attended, with couples expressing a desire to bring marijuana into their celebration for a variety of reasons. “In a lot of relationships, [cannabis] is one of their bonding pastimes,” Wolf says. “Couples come together at the end of a long day and [consume together], so there’s that unification aspect.” Even if couples aren’t daily smokers (or vapers, dabbers or otherwise consumers), Wolf says many couples are beginning to see cannabis as an additional option for their guests. After all, it’s common to ha

We often think of wine as a drink best enjoyed all by its lonesome, save the occasional sangria or spritzer. But a fortified wine—a boozier, spirit-infused version of the drink—can act as the secret ingredient that balances a cocktail and can give you a new lease on liquor. Feeling adventurous? Here are five wine-based concoctions to try in L.A. right now. Ros Marinus at Providence This sipper is rooted in Jardesca Red Aperitiva, a savory, fortified Sonoma wine infused with rosemary. The cocktail is shaken with pear brandy, Gran Classico, simple syrup, lemon and grapefruit, then served up. Take it from beverage director Kim Stodel: It’s “low-ABV and totally crushable.” $15. El Paseo #5 at Michael’s Santa Monica Ever chasing perfection, Michael’s popular El Paseo cocktail is now in its fifth iteration, which involves Bozal Ensamble mezcal, tequila blanco, pear liqueur, allspice dram, lime and agave, poured tableside over a mulled-wine granita. “The clove and cinnamon [in the mulled wine] pull out the pear flavors of the liqueur,” says bartender Meredith Hayman, “while the star anise and black peppercorn highlight the smoky mezcal.” $15. Red Lusin at Momed Atwater Village Consisting of Fernet-Branca and Amaro Sfumato Rabarbaro—both bitter—and sweetened with a coffee cordial, then shaken with lemon, this cocktail is mysterious and contemplative. A float of tart Visciola cherry wine “mellows the boldness of the other ingredients, and brings out some of the subtle fruit flavors in

Often overlooked for the resorts of Cabo, Baja California Sur’s quieter capital is a gorgeous celebration of history and marine life. The area swelters in the summer, but winters are pleasant and the prime time for whale watching. Fly into San José del Cabo, a two-and-a-half-hour direct flight from LAX, and bask in the scenic cactus-lined desert on the three-hour drive to La Paz. Stop in El Triunfo, a tiny former mining town 30 miles south of La Paz, for resident-led historical hiking tours through mining ruins, which include two towering smokestacks. Make sure to swing by Cafe El Triunfo (Calle Ayuntamiento; +52 612-157-1625) for freshly baked garlic bread and cookies. Once in La Paz, take a seaside stroll along the Malecón (Parallel to Paseo Alvaro Obregon), a recently remodeled three-mile boardwalk lined with restaurants, bars, shops and public art. One sculpture—a massive, reflective pearl in an open clamshell—pays homage to La Paz’s past of pearl diving. Between February 8 and 13, the route hosts Carnaval La Paz, a massive street fest with performances and parades. For a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle, take a boat tour to come face-to-face with peaceful gray whales, who mate and calve in Baja during winter. Museo de la Ballena, a whale museum (Paseo Alvaro Obregon and 16 de Septiembre; +52 612-129-6987), reveals even more about the diverse creatures found in the Sea of Cortez, once called the “aquarium of the world” by explorer Jacques Cousteau. Have a nightcap like a lo

Next week the ancient town of Jaffa, Israel, meets Los Angeles with the opening of Jaffa, a modern-Californian and Middle Eastern restaurant along West Third. Officially launching January 31 in the former home of Blue Plate Oysterette, the sunny spot takes its name and culinary cues from the small port town, which eventually became part of Tel Aviv. The menu can be hearty, offering dishes such as lamb maftoul (Palestinian couscous) with figs, cilantro and lemon, but lighter fare can be found in albacore crudo with fennel and Fresno chili, or the slaw-style salad with shredded Brussels sprouts, walnuts, feta and a date vinaigrette. Many dishes even skew vegetarian or vegan, like the colorful avocado hummus topped with couscous and roasted carrots, or charred eggplant with pistachio, date syrup and pomegranate. (See also: vegan desserts, including a rich chocolate tart made with coconut milk.) Carb lovers can add an order of kubaneh, a Yemenite Jewish bread which is baked for hours, its rich rolls pulling apart easily for dipping in the accompanying red, tomato-based dipper and the spicy, green zhug. “I was very fortunate to have the exciting opportunity to spend some time in [Israel], and learn all about the culture and cuisine,” says chef Anne Conness, whom you might recognize from El Segundo’s Sausal. “I fell absolutely in love, and felt that it would be a perfect fit in Los Angeles because of their passion in using lots of fresh produce, as well as their thoughtful approa

A bubble waffle, sometimes called an egg waffle, is almost like the inverse of the waffles most of us are familiar with. Instead of pockets, these waffles puff out, like a sheet of bubble wrap. They are soft and chewy, with a light sweetness when eaten plain. Of course at the Dolly Llama, you probably won’t be ordering them unadorned—the toppings are half the fun. The colorful dessert emporium is now soft-open in Downtown L.A., currently serving a limited menu but with more on the way—including plans to open a K-town location in the next several weeks. They specializes in waffles, which they sell in three forms: your classic waffle, the waffle stick and, of course, the doughy bubble waffle. Sure, you can microwave a frozen waffle like Eleven from Stranger Things, or make one with the waffle press that’s been collecting dust in your cupboard, these waffles are next level. Many of L.A.’s latest dessert shops, like DTLA’s Little Damage and Koreatown’s Milk Tavern, keep Instagram in mind, and the Dolly Llama is no exception. They carefully place toppings like they’re plating entrees at a fine dining restaurant. “We want [each waffle] to be like a piece of art,” co-owner Jane Shomuf says. Eric Shomuf—who owns Dolly Llama with his wife, Jane—met their business partner, Samuel Baroux, as a boy. They’d long discussed starting a business together, and when they finally settled on opening a waffle shop, it was important to them to make the best waffles possible. So Baroux, a European

You might remember Luke Reyes from Culver City’s the Corner Door or the Houston brothers’ Butchers & Barbers in Hollywood. There was also that 2013 episode of Chopped, where Reyes transformed a difficult list of viewer-submitted ingredients—including the pungent durian fruit, cheese curls, canned chicken and cottage cheese—into the winning meal. Yet it was his participation on another show that laid the foundation for Reyes’ latest culinary adventure. Cooking on High requires chefs to incorporate a versatile ingredient in its various forms: cannabis. Reyes has since launched La Hoja (translation: “the leaf”), a new catering and events company that specializes in weed-infused dinners. If it sounds like it can’t get better, there’s more great news: the first open-to-the-public dinner is Saturday, November 11, complete with music, art and cocktails. Given that California opted to legalize recreational marijuana, we’re apt to see a lot of weed-centric dinners and other cannabis events in 2018, when shops are anticipated to begin selling cannabis to customers without a medical card. In case you’re new to the game, La Hoja isn’t intended just for hardcore stoners. Sure, the menu includes tasting dishes such as Hama Hama oysters with a cannabis-infused citrus vinegar and Serrano mignonette, and grilled fennel and chili sausage with marijuana-tinged mustard sauce—but guests shouldn’t expect to get totally blazed.    Luke Reyes Photograph: Courtesy La Hoja/Tegan Lee and Andy Noel  

Whether you’re hankering for a little autumnal shiver or want to scream your lungs out in the dark, there’s a haunted house just for you. We've ranked this season's scary attractions, from kid-friendly to flat-out terrifying. A WEE BIT CHILLING: Ghost Train Photograph: Courtesy LALSRM   Griffith Park’s Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum revives this fund-raiser after a year off. Take a fun 25-minute ride on LALSRM’s small model train through creepy, humorous tableaux that are tame enough for children, but delightfully eerie for all ages. Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum, 5202 Zoo Dr (323-662-8030, lals.org). Oct 12–29: Fri–Sun 7–10pm.Oct 30, 31 7–10pm. $20. JUST SPOOKY ENOUGH: Wicked Lit Photograph: Courtesy Daniel Kitayama   Wish to dip your toes in gothic terror without being chased by monsters? Of course you do, and Wicked Lit has your number. Amid the seasonally appropriate Mountain View Mausoleum and Cemetery, guests are treated to three short plays throughout the grounds, while a fourth unfolds over the course of the immersive evening. a Mountain View Mausoleum and Cemetery,2300 Marengo Ave, Altadena (323-332-2065, unboundproductions.org). Thu–Sun at 7:30pm; $40–80. Through Nov 11. GULP!: Universal Halloween Horror Nights Photograph: Courtesy Universal Studios/David Sprague   The sound of chain saws fills the air when this favorite returns with eight new mazes—including ones inspired by American Horror Story: Roanoke, The Shining and Titans of Terr

While the IT haunted house has departed Hollywood Boulevard for the Warners Bros. backlot tour, a new horror attraction has popped up in the Arts District. Horror Rewind will take guests through four horror films: 28 Days Later, Carrie, The Fly and The Hills Have Eyes. It’s a diverse collection, as far as horror movies go: a man who fuses himself with fly DNA; a tormented teen with telekinetic powers; a British zombie film with an incredible soundtrack; and a family stalked by a much more malevolent family in the desert. They’re all part of a larger collection of 19 horror films repackaged with new designs from Mexican-Cuban-American artist Orlando Arocena. Not only is the artwork pretty awesome, but Hollywood's passion for "experiential marketing" means we Angelenos get another haunted house this season.   However, this isn't your standard walk-through haunt judging by the team behind it. Horror Rewind is produced by creative studio the Great Company and local haunted theater company Delusion. Delusion sprung up in 2011, and those who have attended know it’s a highly immersive experience, often set in sprawling mansions chock-full of monsters. Guests move through elaborate sets, interact with actors and occasionally must complete tasks as the story progresses. (Last year, my quest to find a stake was cut short by a vampire who locked me in a coffin.) Though Delusion does not have a 2017 show, they are bringing their passion for immersive theater to Horror Rewind. Delusion c

Welcome to the cutest pumpkin patch in the Southland. Tanaka Farms, a family-run farm in operation since 1940, has partnered with Sanrio, Inc. This means that Hello Kitty and her cohorts—including Chococat, Keroppi the frog and Pochacco the dog—have popped up all over the farm, turning their annual pumpkin patch into a very adorable autumn wonderland. There’s nothing that says fall quite like sprawling fields full of bright, orange pumpkins on the vine. Scattered throughout Tanaka Farms’ fields are cut-outs with familiar characters, perfect for family photos (and all the selfies). You can find them on foot or via a comfortably paced wagon ride. This short tour makes a stop at the Pumpkin Cannon, where, throughout October weekends, you can watch a pumpkin be shot off into the blue yonder. Photograph: Juliet Bennett Rylah   Photograph: Juliet Bennett Rylah             Photograph: Juliet Bennett Rylah   Though picking the perfect pumpkin could easily take an afternoon, there are other activities to enjoy as well. You can wind your way through a corn maze, play simple carnival games or visit the U-pick veggie garden. The corn maze is relatively easy, making it more fun than tricky, and we can assure you there are no minotaurs in the middle. A petting zoo full of goats, sheep and a few alpacas competes with Hello Kitty and company for cuteness. Photograph: Juliet Bennett Rylah       Photograph: Juliet Bennett Rylah   Food is available for purchase on-site, including bur