Question 1

My cannabis tenant stopped paying rent. What are my options?

Accepted Answer

You have more options than it may feel like in the moment. Depending on your lease and the tenant's situation, options range from negotiating a voluntary surrender and bringing in a new tenant, to pursuing an unlawful detainer if necessary. The right approach depends on your specific lease terms and how quickly you need resolution.

Question 2

Can I increase my property's value by adding a cannabis license to it?

Accepted Answer

Yes — pairing a cost-effective cannabis license with your property and leasing out both the space and the license together is one of the most effective ways to boost rental income or sale price for cannabis-zoned real estate in Los Angeles.

Question 3

How do I know if my property is even eligible for a cannabis license?

Accepted Answer

Eligibility depends on zoning and buffer zone compliance — distance from schools, parks, and licensed childcare centers, verified through ZIMAS and GIS mapping. A no-cost eligibility check can confirm this before you invest any time or money pursuing a cannabis tenant or license.

Question 4

Is it better to sell my cannabis property now or wait?

Accepted Answer

It depends on current market conditions, your property's specific tenant situation, and whether pairing it with a license would increase its value before sale. Timing the market correctly for cannabis-zoned real estate requires understanding both real estate cycles and the cannabis licensing landscape simultaneously.

Question 5

What if I've never leased to a cannabis tenant before?

Accepted Answer

This is common, and it's manageable. Cannabis-friendly banking and insurance options have matured significantly, and a broker experienced in this niche can walk you through what to expect, what to include in the lease, and how to vet a tenant properly before signing.

Question 6

What types of tenants do you represent in Los Angeles?

Accepted Answer

Tenant representation clients range from national wireless carriers like Verizon Wireless and AT&T to fast-casual food and beverage brands and cannabis operators across retail, cultivation, distribution, and manufacturing. The common thread is multi-location brands that need a broker who understands both the real estate and the regulatory landscape specific to their industry.

Question 7

Do you only work with large national brands?

Accepted Answer

No. While Verizon Wireless and AT&T represent over 100 secured leases each, the same tenant representation process applies to smaller, growing brands — including fast-casual restaurant concepts and cannabis operators expanding their footprint one or two locations at a time.

Question 8

How is cannabis tenant representation different from standard retail tenant rep?

Accepted Answer

Cannabis tenant representation requires navigating zoning restrictions, buffer zone compliance, and DCR premises approval in addition to standard lease negotiation. A landlord's comfort level with cannabis tenancy also varies significantly, so identifying cannabis-friendly landlords is a critical part of the process that doesn't exist in conventional retail tenant rep.

Question 9

What is your process for finding a new location?

Accepted Answer

The process starts with understanding the brand's specific site criteria — square footage, second-generation infrastructure needs (like an existing hood and grease trap for food concepts), target neighborhoods, and timeline. From there, it's a combination of off-market outreach, listing review, and landlord relationships built over years of closing deals in this market.

Question 10

Do you help with lease renewals, or only new locations?

Accepted Answer

Tenant representation includes lease renewal negotiation as well as new site selection, particularly important for multi-location brands managing a portfolio of leases across different landlords and renewal timelines.

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