STATE CANNABIS GUIDE
Cannabis Laws in California
Is weed legal in California? Possession limits, home grow rules, medical program and dispensary info.
STATE CANNABIS GUIDE
Is weed legal in California? Possession limits, home grow rules, medical program and dispensary info.
Cannabis is currently recreational in California (CA). Largest cannabis market in the world. Medical since 1996.
Adults in California may possess up to 1 oz flower, 8g concentrate of cannabis.
| Category | Limit / Rule |
|---|---|
| Public Possession | 1 oz flower, 8g concentrate |
| Home Growing | 6 plants |
| Medical Program | Active |
| Dispensaries | ~1200 licensed dispensaries |
Possession over the legal limit (up to 28.5g) is an infraction with a $100 fine. Over 28.5g is a misdemeanor with up to 6 months in jail and $500 fine. Sales without license are a felony.
California pioneered US medical cannabis with Proposition 215 in 1996. Medical patients may possess up to 8 oz and cultivate up to 6 mature or 12 immature plants.
California has the largest legal cannabis market in the world by revenue, exceeding $5 billion in annual sales. Proposition 64 (2016) established recreational sales starting January 2018.
The Department of Cannabis Control (DCC), created in 2021, consolidates all state regulation. California continues to battle a large illegal market that undercuts licensed operators on price.
Despite recreational legality in California, cannabis remains federally illegal. Employers can — and many do — still require drug tests.
The most common pre-employment test in California is the urine test, which can detect THC metabolites for up to 30 days in regular users. See: How long does THC stay in urine?
