This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
"Whitney Houston" Weed Makes Brief Appearance at Local Dispensary
Photo by EpicStockMedia via Shutterstock
Puff, puff, lawsuit? Recently a Los Angeles-area medical marijuana dispensary was selling a strain of weed named "Whitney Houston Og," in honor of the late singer. Your hit of Whit was listed as available--temporarily--at 45 Cap Elite Herbal Center, according to the Huffington Post, who found the strain included on the venue's page on WeedMaps.com.
The dispensary also had a "Charlie Sheen Og" variety listed online. Both strains were removed from the site listing after the HuffPo (or should we say "puff"?) called the shop to confirm their stock. One of their questions was if the Houston estate knew that a strain of weed was being sold under the singer's name.
Houston died suddenly on the eve of the Grammy Awards in her Beverly Hills hotel room. An autopsy confirmed the singer's death was due in part to complications of drug use.
A lawyer unaffiliated with the Houston estate, described by the HuffPo as "a prominent trademark attorney" told the publication the shop "was probably violating the singer's right of publicity, which protects the commercial use of celebrities without their, or their estate's, consent."
Of course, one can image the improbability of the Houston camp giving that item the okay.
Before it disappeared from at least the online menu, a customer did leave a review of their experience smoking the "Whitney Houston Og" weed:
I stopped by here to pick up whatever I could with the cash I had. I told myself that I was going to be o optimistic. It was close to the house! So, upon arrival I was able to grab a park right at the front door! Checking in was cool, as I had been there before! He mentioned that I hadn't been there in a while, Thanksgiving to be exact! I walked in looked at the board & all I saw was Whitney Houston! Ok so I had to get this...right? Well of course I did! It looked good, smelled good, taste good....and SMOKED good! The high was bomb & we're definitely gonna get some for 4-20!!!!!
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
