Informational only — not legal advice. Cannabis laws change frequently; verify current rules with the official sources linked below before relying on this page.
Last verified: 2026-07-12
California Cannabis Laws — Quick Facts
Status
Recreational legal · since 2016 (Proposition 64)
Min. Age
21
Purchase Limit
1 oz (28.5 g)
Home Grow
Yes
1. Status & Authority
Legal Since: 2016 (Proposition 64)
Governing Agency: Department of Cannabis Control (DCC)
Statute/Citation: Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA)
Medical Exists: Yes
Retail Sales Operational: Yes
2. Who Can Purchase
Minimum Age: 21
ID Requirements: Valid government-issued photo ID
Resident vs. Out-of-State/Visitor: Both residents and visitors aged 21+ may purchase.
Reciprocity: No medical reciprocity for out-of-state patients; must purchase as recreational users.
3. Purchase & Possession Limits
Flower: 1 oz (28.5 g)
Concentrate: 8 g
Edibles: Edibles count toward the 8 g concentrate limit. Maximum 10 mg THC per serving, 100 mg THC per package.
Note: Medical patients with a valid state ID card have higher limits (up to 8 oz).
4. Where & How to Buy
Dispensaries: Licensed retail storefronts.
Delivery & Online: Delivery is legal statewide, even into municipalities that have banned physical retail storefronts. Online ordering is available for pickup or delivery.
Consumption Lounges: Permitted in local municipalities that authorize them (e.g., West Hollywood, San Francisco).
Local Opt-Outs: Local cities and counties can ban physical cannabis businesses, but they cannot prevent deliveries traversing their roads or delivering to residents.
5. Taxes & Payment
Excise Tax: 15% excise tax on retail sales.
Sales Tax: Standard state sales tax (7.25%) plus local district taxes.
Local Tax: Municipalities frequently impose additional local business taxes.
Payment: Primarily cash and cashless ATMs.
6. Consumption Rules
Permitted Locations: Private property (unless banned by landlord) and licensed consumption lounges.
Prohibited Locations: Public places (parks, sidewalks, restaurants). Within 1,000 feet of a school or youth center while children are present.
Vehicles/Open Container: Illegal to consume in a vehicle. Open container laws mandate that cannabis be in a sealed container or stored in the trunk.
Landlord/Employer: Landlords may prohibit use on premises. Employers can enforce drug-free workplace policies.
7. Home Cultivation
Allowed: Yes
Plant Count Limits: Up to 6 plants per residence.
Household Caps: The 6-plant limit is per residence, not per person. Must be grown indoors or in an enclosed outdoor space, not visible from public view.
8. Penalties
Over-Limit Possession: Misdemeanor, punishable by up to 6 months in jail and/or a $500 fine for adults.
Public Consumption: Infraction, typically a fine of $100 ($250 if near a school).
Sale to Minors: Felony offense.
DUI Thresholds: Impairment based. No "per se" blood-THC limit; prosecutors must prove impairment via officer observation and testing.