We Buy, Lease and Take Over Cultivation Buildings
Depending on what the owner needs and what we agree, HYE LYF can take over the grow, the building, the operations, or the licensed business itself. We also buy and lease cannabis cultivation buildings in Southern California with our own money. Taking over the licensed business goes through the state's change-of-ownership process with the DCC.
Idle, half-built or losing money
What we take on
Depending on what the owner needs and what we agree, HYE LYF can take over the grow, the building, the operations, or the licensed business itself. We also buy and lease cultivation buildings with our own money. We work with facility owners, landlords, license holders and operators in Southern California and surrounding areas. The building may be inactive, partially built or operating at a loss. Our conversation starts with the facility, who controls it and what the owner wants to do next. For an unfinished or inactive facility, our review covers existing infrastructure, room readiness, equipment gaps and what is needed for a restart.
Three options for a struggling facility
Fix it, lease it or sell it
A struggling cultivation facility has three honest options. Which one fits depends on the license status, the local permit, power and how far the numbers are from break-even. Bringing in a cultivation team is one option, not the only one. Leasing the building and selling the business or property are also part of that discussion. So is handing the grow, the building, the operations or the licensed business over to HYE LYF.
- Fix it. Bring in a team to find the problems and work on turning the grow around.
- Lease it. Lease the building to a tenant who holds a state license and a local permit.
- Sell or hand it over. Sell the property, or sell or hand over the licensed business through the state's change-of-ownership process. HYE LYF can take it over.
The building and the operating plan
What we look at
We look at power, zoning and the local permit, and what it takes to get to a first harvest. Most stalled facilities are missing power, finished rooms, a local permit in good standing or an operator. Inactive is not finished. Our infrastructure and operations review looks at what exists, what is missing and the goal for the facility. For a partially built site, that includes room readiness, equipment gaps and build-out sequencing. The review leads into a discussion of next steps.
- What is the facility, and who controls the building or license?
- What infrastructure exists, and what is missing?
- What is the goal for the building?
The building and the license are separate
Who runs the cannabis activity inside
HYE LYF does not hold a cannabis license. Any cannabis activity inside a building we own or lease out runs under a state license held by a licensed party, with a local permit. We lease cultivation space only to tenants who hold both. Any licensed cannabis activity is carried out by properly licensed parties and is subject to state and local law. As general legal information, all commercial cannabis activity must be conducted between licensees (Business and Professions Code 26053). A licensee on land it does not own needs the landowner's written approval of the cannabis use (DCC regulation 15007).
Taking over the license
How taking over a licensed business works
In California the license stays with the licensed business, so taking over a license means taking over the business that holds it. The state handles that as a change of ownership (DCC regulation 15023(c)). New owners are reported to the DCC within 14 calendar days and reviewed. If at least one current owner stays, the business can keep operating during the review. If every current owner leaves, the state must approve a new license application before the business runs under the new owners. State ownership rules are followed where they apply. These are general ownership rules, not advice about a particular transaction. Our initial conversation includes who controls the facility or license, the license and compliance context, and the goal for the property.
California cultivation context
Why so many buildings sit idle
Stalled facilities commonly lack power, finished rooms, a local permit in good standing or an operator. In February 2025, inactive or surrendered California cannabis licenses numbered 10,828, compared with 8,514 active licenses, as reported by MJBizDaily.
Questions owners ask
Do you buy cannabis cultivation buildings in Southern California?
Yes. HYE LYF buys, leases and takes over cultivation buildings with its own money. We are based in Southern California and work in Southern California and surrounding areas. Buildings may be idle, half-built or losing money. We look at power, zoning, the local permit and what it takes to get to a first harvest.
Can HYE LYF take over my cannabis grow or licensed business?
Yes, depending on what you need and what we agree. HYE LYF can take over the grow, the building, the operations, or the licensed business itself. Taking over the licensed business goes through the state's change-of-ownership process. State ownership rules are followed where they apply. The first walkthrough is free.
Can I sell my California cannabis license?
Yes, in practice, by selling or handing over the business that holds the license. The state handles that as a change of ownership (DCC regulation 15023(c)): new owners are reported to the DCC within 14 calendar days and reviewed, and if every current owner leaves, a new license must be approved before the business runs under them. HYE LYF can take over the licensed business.
Should I fix, lease or sell a struggling cultivation facility?
The right option depends on license status, the local permit, power and how far the numbers are from break-even. The three options are bringing in a team to turn the grow around, leasing the building to a state-licensed tenant, or selling the business or property.
Who runs the cannabis activity in a building HYE LYF owns?
A party holding a state cannabis license runs the cannabis activity, with a local permit. HYE LYF does not hold a cannabis license. We lease cultivation space only to tenants who hold a state license and a local permit. Licensed activity remains subject to state and local law.
What do you look at in a cultivation building?
We look at power, zoning, the local permit and what it takes to get to a first harvest. We also ask who controls the facility or license, what infrastructure exists, what is missing and what the goal is. Readiness review includes existing infrastructure, rooms and equipment gaps.
Talk about your building
Call (818) 913-4108 about your cultivation building. Start with what the facility is, who controls it, what is missing and your goal. Or send the short form on the Contact page. The first walkthrough is free.
(818) 913-4108 [email protected]