Pot Pioneer
In 2017, ERBA Markets in Venice was the first retailer in the legal market to incorporate an “in-store” brand experience in their showroom, offering companies a direct way to engage with fans.
Devon “Samba” Wheeler is the man behind the vision. Raised in the legacy movement by his father, Howard Wheeler, Samba was deeply influenced by his father’s beatnik roots. Howard was a friend of Allen Ginsberg, a key figure in the 1960s counterculture movement and the founder of LeMar (Legalize Marijuana), the earliest marijuana legalization advocacy organization that Howard joined early on. Samba’s father also became the first Westerner to help introduce the Hare Krishna movement to America. Now, Samba carries the torch with the same directive for Cannabis culture by fostering quality and integrity, one brick at a time.
Venice Roots
Venice Beach is where Jack Herer did most of his legacy work in the early 90s, so it was meaningful to plant seeds in the same soil, continuing to develop those beliefs. Fun fact: this city is the number one tourist attraction in the state of California over Disneyland with over 10 million visitors annually. And check this out, if you pop across the street to the Harley Davidson dealership, you’ll find an ERBA tablet (remote ordering kiosk), so when you’re picking up a Harley, you can also have your meds delivered and sitting on your pillion seat by the time the paperwork is signed. The staff at ERBA like to think that Jim Morrison would approve of this progressive boutique experience, and that, of course, he blesses every happy customer who lights up at the famed Sunday drum circle on the beach.
Break On Through
As stewards of this prolific plant, they see the benefit of building a healthy relationship with the neighbors to create a cohesive, unified tribe. That means understanding that there’s a lot to be gained by being friends with surrounding commerce along with supporting local fire and law enforcement through community engagement. Annually, during the holidays ERBA serves over 3,000 meals for families in need of support and assistance provided by the local neighborhood council. The ERBA crew even recently hosted a dog adoption at their sister shop The Woods in WeHo and found forever homes for four canines who just needed a family to love. Keep up the good work, friends!
Staff Picks
Flower
Claybourne Blue Dream –Sofia
No Till Kings –Dhara
Blem Unruly Original Glue –Alex
Black Caviar Black Squid Ink –Jon
Joints
The Woods Runtz –Sofia
Claybourne Flyers –Camila
Heavy Hitters Diamond Cereal Milk –Jon
Carts
Cold Fire G.O.A.T Cheese –Sofia
Flavorade Cosmopolitan –Dhara
Nasha Papaya Bomb –Alex
Vuze Alien OG –Camila
Dabs
Mountain Man Melts Tropicanna Cookies –Sofia
Tall Tree Society Hash Burger –Alex
710 Labs Starburst 36 #1 –Camila
Papa Selects Strawberry Gem Jam –Jon
Edibles
Plus Island Maui Haze –Dhara
Auntie Aloha Lillikoi Citrus Buzz –Camila
Pax Gummies Summer Mango –Jon
Check out these partner locations:
Erba Culver City on Exposition Blvd, LA
Erba Sawtell on Sawtelle Blvd, LA
Erba West Los Angeles on Pico Blvd.
The Woods on Santa Monica Blvd.
