Tourists can legally buy marijuana in California. In 2018, California began selling recreational marijuana and issuing licenses to legal dispensaries. However, there are some regulations and guidelines that in-state customers and visitors must follow. You may also have questions about what to choose, where to go, and where using marijuana is allowed.
Any adult over 21, resident or tourist, can purchase legal recreational cannabis in retail dispensaries.
Before California passed the Adult Use Marijuana Act, otherwise known as Prop 64, the only way to buy marijuana legally in California was to obtain a recommendation from a physician for various medical conditions. Retail dispensaries streamline the process of purchasing legal cannabis.
You must prove that you are at least 21 using government identification. The following types of ID are accepted:
You cannot even enter a cannabis dispensary without an ID proving your legal age.
The cost of marijuana depends on what you buy, the concentration of THC, and how much. Typical prices include:
Edibles are sold according to the amount of THC. Some small candies may be as cheap as $5, while higher-end edibles can be up to $50 or $100 for more potent dosages and expensive ingredients. The average price for a pack of 100 mg edibles in California is around $20.
Since marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, most major payment networks don’t allow cannabis purchases with a card. To get around this restriction, many dispensaries have ATMs for cash withdrawal. Dispensaries might also use third-party payment processing platforms.
The amount of money you’ll need depends on which cannabis products you want to buy and how much. Don’t forget to include tax, which is 15% on cannabis or cannabis products sold at retail.
Tourists looking to buy recreational marijuana need to find a dispensary licensed by the California Bureau of Cannabis Control. You can find a list of licensed dispensaries through their “Retailers Near Me” site or various apps like Leafy or WeedMaps.
Buying cannabis from unlicensed retailers is still illegal. These locations are regularly raided and shut down. However, people can give each other small amounts of marijuana, provided both parties are at least 21.
Licensed dispensaries in California carry several marijuana types and in various forms. The recognizable and smokable flower will be for sale in pre-rolled joints, edible treats like cookies and candy, vape pens, and even cannabis-infused drinks.
The quality and potency of what you buy will vary, so ask the employees what they recommend and pay attention to labels. The THC concentration should be clearly marked.
Adults can legally purchase up to one ounce of marijuana or eight grams of concentrated cannabis in one day. Marijuana stores track transactions to ensure they aren’t selling you more than the allowed amount.
While recreational weed is legal in California, it is still illegal to smoke, consume, or vape cannabis products in public. Therefore, you can’t walk down the street and smoke. And as with alcohol, cannabis can’t be consumed or in an open container while driving.
You should only consume cannabis in a private home. If you’re visiting, keep in mind many hotels, Airbnb’s, and apartments ban smoking. Even landlords can ban smoking inside a residence.
Marijuana is still illegal under federal law. Please don’t try to take cannabis with you on an airplane. Should TSA discover it, you run the risk of being asked to discard it or face criminal charges, depending on the situation.
Here are some tips for things to keep in mind if you’re planning to buy cannabis as a tourist in California:
Dispensary staff are knowledgeable and should be able to answer any questions you have. Work with them and take their advice on what strain and dosage you should buy.
THC is the psychoactive compound that produces the “high” associated with marijuana use. CBD, on the other hand, is non-psychoactive and doesn’t cause intoxication. This difference leads to CBD being used for potential health benefits like pain relief and anxiety reduction, whereas THC is primarily used recreationally.
California law requires child-resistant packaging and clear labeling with information like THC content and licensing. Look closely at the packaging before buying to avoid accidentally purchasing marijuana products that might be unsafe, untested, or contaminated.
At McElfresh Law, we protect marijuana rights for visitors, California cannabis users, growers, and business owners. If you need a San Diego cannabis business lawyer, call us today at 858-756-7107 to schedule a consultation.
California marijuana laws change frequently. For updated information, see the following pages: Medicinal Uses of Marijuana and Recreational Marijuana Business.