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The Evolution of Cannabis in Mid-City LA: Inside Herbarium’s Mission to Honor History and Empower Community

Sat, Nov 01, 2025

Nestled in the heart of Los Angeles at 6110 W Pico Blvd, 90035, the Herbarium Mid City dispensary stands as both a destination retail space and a living symbol of the region’s evolving cannabis culture. 
In this blog, we’ll journey through the multi-layered story of cannabis in Mid-City and LA at large — from early underground roots, through prohibition and activism, into the present-day era of legal retail and community-focused business — culminating in the story and mission of Herbarium Mid City.

1. A Silent Beginning: Cannabis in Los Angeles Pre-Legalization

The cannabis culture in Los Angeles has deep roots, stretching back long before the first legal dispensary. As early as the 1910s and ’20s, law enforcement in L.A. targeted cannabis use — often framed in racialized terms. vLex
For example, knowledge of cannabis cultivation and smoking was present in immigrant communities, yet became the focus of intensive policing:

“Initially framed as a ‘Mexican’ drug, marijuana’s prohibition enforcement began on the periphery of Los Angeles … local police forces carried on the tradition of arresting and jailing Mexican and Mexican American citizens for marijuana crimes.” vLex

By mid-century, cannabis use had spread into artistic, musical, and subcultural spaces — notably among jazz musicians, Black communities, and the burgeoning hip alternative lifestyles in L.A. neighborhoods. This set the stage for the later cultural shift. Leafly

Specifically in the Mid-City / Wilshire / Pico corridor, while detailed records of illicit activity are sparse, the neighborhood’s proximity to West Adams, Mid-Wilshire and the broader Central/South L.A. cultural networks meant it was part of this broader tapestry of underground cannabis culture.

2. The Transition: Medical Cannabis, Decriminalization, and Cultural Shift

The 1996 passage of California’s Proposition 215 legalized medical cannabis — a pivotal moment for L.A. as it brought cannabis out of the shadows and into semi-legitimacy. Leafly
In the decades following, L.A. saw increasing numbers of dispensaries, delivery services, and underground networks adapting into legal or semi-legal forms. According to recent commentary:

“It’s not just about the shopping, either. Delivery services have exploded across L.A., bringing quality cannabis products to doorsteps in under an hour.” CityWatch LA

In the Mid-City and West Los Angeles area (which includes Pico Blvd and Wilshire corridors), the visual landscape of cannabis culture gradually shifted: fewer purely illicit storefronts, more “brands,” more design-forward retail dispensaries, and a growing embrace of cannabis as lifestyle, wellness, and community anchor — not just as a counter-culture statement.

3. Entering the Era of Legal Adult-Use: Social Equity and Retail Evolution

January 2018 marked the beginning of legal adult-use cannabis sales in California, opening a new chapter for the industry. The City of Los Angeles established social equity licensing programs aiming to give communities impacted by the War on Drugs a chance to participate. Los Angeles Business Journal

In this new era, retail stores began to appear with polished branding, curated product menus, and experiential retail floors. One of these was Herbarium — a vertically-integrated company licensed for cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, retail and delivery. The Los Angeles Cannabis Club

Herbarium Mid City stands out within this context — it is explicitly described as a “proudly social equity-licensed dispensary, rooted in culture, community, and premium cannabis” located in the heart of Los Angeles. 

At its grand opening on June 19, 2025 (Juneteenth), the founders linked the launch to themes of freedom, equity, and community. As co-owner Britt Arceneaux put it: “What sets Herbarium apart isn’t just the quality of our products, it’s the energy and intention behind the space. We’re here to create access, education, and opportunities.”

4. Why Mid-City? Location, Culture & Community

The Mid-City neighborhood — particularly around Pico Blvd, the Wilshire corridor, the Pico/La Cienega/Crenshaw axis — is uniquely positioned at the intersection of West LA’s commercial bustle, South / Central L.A.’s cultural heritage, and the creative/arts engine of Los Angeles.

Key reasons this locale works for Herbarium and the broader cannabis retail model include:

  • Accessibility: Located along major thoroughfares (Pico, La Cienega, Wilshire) with vehicle and pedestrian access, making it convenient for both local residents and visitors.

  • Cultural mix: The area draws a mix of professionals, creatives, longtime residents, and newer entrants to LA’s wellness / lifestyle economy. This diversity aligns with a dispensary strategy of serving both seasoned cannabis patrons and newcomers (“whether you're a seasoned consumer or just starting your journey”). Herbarium

  • Community mission fit: As a social-equity licensed enterprise, Herbarium Mid City situates itself in a neighborhood where the values of representation, inclusion and economic uplift resonate.

  • Emerging visibility: As cannabis culture becomes mainstream, areas like Mid-City benefit from being just off the major tourist or glam zones (West Hollywood, Beverly Hills) but still within the vibrant L.A. sphere — offering something authentic and neighborhood-anchored.

Thus, the choice of Mid City for this dispensary is not just practical but symbolic: a bridge between past cannabis culture (underground, community-oriented) and future (legal, inclusive, accessible, design-driven).

5. Culture, Community & Retail Experience at Herbarium Mid City

Herbarium Mid City offers more than just a storefront: its identity incorporates education, community uplift, and cultural resonance. Some highlights:

  • A welcoming space for both adult-use (21+) and medical patients (18+ with valid MMIC) is clearly spelled out in its web presence. 

  • The menu is curated, with friendly and knowledgeable staff (“budtenders”) guiding users through flower, edibles, concentrates — adapting for experience level. 

  • The brand emphasizes social equity, access and representation: the company narrative states their mission is “to represent, uplift, and deliver the quality you deserve — every single visit.” 

  • They launch their store on Juneteenth, tying it to freedom, resilience and community — linking the cannabis industry’s opportunities with historically impacted communities. 

  • On a broader level, the L.A. cannabis community is evolving into more than retail: immersive pop-ups, experiential art/design collaborations, wellness and culinary tie-ins. CityWatch LA

6. Looking Forward: The Future of Cannabis Culture in Mid-City & Beyond

What does the future hold — both for Herbarium Mid City and for cannabis culture in areas like Mid-City? Here are several trends and possibilities:

  • Deepening community engagement: Expect more events, education sessions, local art collaborations, and career pathways tied to social equity licenses. Herbarium’s own roadmap mentions mentoring entrepreneurs and building local job pipelines. 

  • Lifestyle convergence: Cannabis culture in L.A. is increasingly tied to wellness, design, art, fashion and social experience. The Mid-City dispensary model may evolve to include lounges, sampling experiences, or integrative wellness spaces (pending regulation).

  • Normalization & destigmatization: As legal retail becomes more common, the cultural narrative shifts from counter-culture to “plant-based lifestyle.” This means broader demographics, more sophisticated product lines, and more inclusive marketing (without losing the community roots).

  • Regulatory & social-justice evolution: While the licensing programs aimed at impacted communities are a step forward, many argue the outcomes have been uneven. The cannabis industry in L.A. will continue grappling with questions of equity, access, ownership and restorative justice as shown on common Los Angeles Reddit threads. Reddit

  • Neighborhood impact: In areas like Mid-City, the presence of respected, community-aware dispensaries can help shift the neighborhood identity — from “just another retail block” to an intentional lifestyle corridor anchored by design, cannabis, art and wellness.

7. Why This History Matters to You (and to Neighborhoods)

Understanding the story behind Herbarium Mid City and the Mid-City cannabis culture matters for several reasons:

  • Cultural respect: When you visit or engage with a dispensary, knowing the history — from prohibition, social inequities, to legalization — adds meaning and encourages responsible engagement.

  • Community awareness: Neighborhoods matter. Supporting dispensaries that commit to local hiring, events and representation helps the cannabis economy serve residents, not just outsiders.

  • Consumer insight: Retail is not just about product; it’s about mission, experience and value. A dispensary that positions itself within cultural context often offers intentional service, curated inventory and welcoming environment.

  • Neighborhood evolution: Mid-City’s story illustrates how mainstream industries (wellness, cannabis, lifestyle retail) intersect with everyday neighborhoods — shifting perceptions, traffic patterns, local commerce and identity.