The Artist Tree is a West Hollywood-founded cannabis brand built on a simple premise: art and cannabis have always belonged in the same room. Founded in 2019 by Lauren Fontein, Avi Kahan, Mitch Kahan, and Aviv Halimi, the company now operates 11 retail locations across California, including two on-site consumption lounges in West Hollywood and Hawthorne, with its first New York location set to open in Farmingdale, Long Island, in 2026.
Rather than build standard dispensaries, the company built gallery-inspired spaces where local artists exhibit their work, guests learn about cannabis alongside curated collections, and community events give each neighborhood a reason to keep coming back.
The Artist Tree at a Glance
- Founded: 2019
- Founders: Lauren Fontein, Avi Kahan, Mitch Kahan, Aviv Halimi
- Headquarters: West Hollywood, California
- Current Markets: California and New York
- Locations: 11 retail stores across California, including two on-site consumption lounges (West Hollywood and Hawthorne)
- Expanding To: Farmingdale, Long Island (New York's first location), plus additional California stores in 2026
Where the Idea for The Artist Tree Came From
For Fontein and her co-founders, The Artist Tree didn't start as a real estate plan. It started as a question about where art belongs and who gets to experience it.
“When we first imagined The Artist Tree, it wasn’t about opening stores. It was about opening a space where art could live out loud,” said Lauren Fontein, Chief Compliance Officer and Co-Founder. “Art and cannabis have always belonged in the same conversation. Both invite reflection. Both challenge perception. Both have historically existed on the margins.”
That belief became the foundation for a retail model that treats each dispensary less like a transaction point and more like a cultural venue, one built around creativity, education, and connection rather than the sale itself.
A Team Built on Community and Creativity
The Artist Tree describes its staff as a team of cannabis lovers focused on fostering community and creativity, and that focus is visible in how each store is curated.
Every location features artwork from artists based in the surrounding area, tying each store's identity to its immediate neighborhood rather than a single corporate look. Exhibits rotate regularly, and many are used to spotlight social justice issues and give visibility to disadvantaged groups.
“We hope to educate visitors about art and encourage them to explore cannabis as a source of creative inspiration,” Fontein said. “We also promote art as a powerful medium for encouraging social change and empowering disadvantaged groups.”
What Makes The Artist Tree Stand Out
What separates The Artist Tree from a typical dispensary isn't just the art on the walls. It's how retail, consumption, and culture are designed to intersect in the same physical space.
Two of the company's 11 California locations, in West Hollywood and Hawthorne, include on-site consumption lounges, giving guests a place to use cannabis on-site alongside the gallery experience. Each store, combined with rotating exhibitions and community events, is designed to function as a gathering place for locals, travelers, and the curious alike, not just a place to shop.
Recognition and Giving Back
The Artist Tree's approach has drawn outside recognition alongside its own community work. In 2025, Cannabis Business Times named the company one of the industry's Best Cannabis Companies to Work For. In 2026, Forbes included The Artist Tree on its list of the most innovative cannabis companies.
The company also points to its charitable giving as a defining part of the brand. In 2025, The Artist Tree supported wildfire recovery efforts, hosted blood drives, and donated art supplies. It ran fundraisers across its markets, with total contributions reaching into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
What's Next for The Artist Tree
The Artist Tree's next chapter moves east. In 2026, the company will open its first New York location in Farmingdale, Long Island, extending its gallery-meets-dispensary model beyond California for the first time. Additional California locations are also planned for the year, continuing the company's approach of pairing each new store with art from its surrounding community.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Artist Tree
What is The Artist Tree?
The Artist Tree is a West Hollywood-founded cannabis brand that combines dispensary retail with gallery-inspired art spaces. Founded in 2019, the company operates 11 locations across California and is expanding into New York in 2026.
Where is The Artist Tree located?
The Artist Tree is headquartered in West Hollywood, California, and operates 11 retail locations throughout the state, including consumption lounges in West Hollywood and Hawthorne.
Does The Artist Tree have consumption lounges?
Yes. The Artist Tree operates on-site consumption lounges at its West Hollywood and Hawthorne locations.
Is The Artist Tree expanding to New York?
Yes. The Artist Tree is opening its first New York location in Farmingdale, Long Island, in 2026.
Who founded The Artist Tree?
The Artist Tree was founded in 2019 by Lauren Fontein, Avi Kahan, Mitch Kahan, and Aviv Halimi.
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