Dispensaries in California Near You

Dispensaries Found

California became the first state to allow the medicinal use of marijuana back in 1996 when voters passed the Compassionate Use Act. The state has been at the forefront of initiatives in the United States to liberalize cannabis regulations. Since recreational marijuana usage was allowed in California in 2016, cannabis culture has expanded into a diverse range of products and activities. The quality and range of what is available, the luxury of the experience, and the expertise of local "budtenders" distinguish this cannabis community.

How It All Started: The History of Marijuana in California

While cannabis has been used since prehistoric African and Eurasian cultures, it was not introduced into the Western Hemisphere till the middle of the 15th century, as Spanish merchants took the plant to Chile. From there, the cannabis was planted at many missions throughout North America's southern Pacific coast, in a territory that would later become California after its entry to the Union in 1850.

After many years, California has developed one of the most progressive views toward recreational cannabis use. Officially, grassroots initiatives began in 1996, when the state passed the Compassionate Use Act, which legalized marijuana for medical purposes. Later in 2016, recreational marijuana was placed on the ballot and was approved by 56% of California voters, paving the way for adult-use marijuana and recreational dispensaries all over the state.

How to Buy: Cali Cannabis Regulations

In the Golden State, the cannabis sector is highly regulated to ensure safe usage. The state is concerned that businesses run properly, that products are contaminant-free and labelled to inform buyers, and that marijuana is kept out of the hands of children. 

The Laws

  • Medicinal and Adult Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA) establishes a fundamental structure for cannabis company licensing, regulation, and enforcement;
  • Health and Safety Code in Cali has also got a section on cannabis that controls underage usage, meaning that people under 21 are not allowed to buy or use marijuana. According to it, the amount of marijuana carried must not be above the allowable limits of 28.5 grams of THC and 8 grams of concentrates. This document also provides some requirements for medical cannabis;
  • DCC’s regulations are ment for those who want to begin a marijuana business;
  • California Cannabis Tax Laws impose a 15% cannabis excise tax as well as a 7.25% state retail trade tax. There is also an obligatory local sales tax of up to 1%. Municipalities in California have the authority to levy a business tax of up to 15%. Customers purchasing THC products at the Golden State dispensaries must expect to be charged 23-28% tax. Patients who use medical marijuana in Cali are not excluded from the cannabis tax.

How Can I Buy Marijuana in Cali?

If you are looking for a way to purchase cannabis products, you can just look for “California dispensaries near me” or order online from the official producers. These are the safest ways to buy high quality lab-tested certified items. 
People who are unfamiliar with retail cannabis may ask what qualifies a dispensary as legit. Technically, legitimate dispensaries are those that have a permit to operate. In California now, there are over 800 regulated and licensed dispensaries. The California Department of Cannabis Control maintains a list of licensed adult-use dispensaries. To buy weed in the Golden State, you need to follow simple rules:

  • Going to dispensaries in California, bring a valid ID card, such as a driving license, to prove you are above the age of 21. California recreational retailers will allow an out-of-state driver’s license if you are visiting from another state and want to buy marijuana. Dispensaries will not provide recreational cannabis to anyone under age 21 and will card you at the entrance with an electronic card reader machine to confirm your age;
  • Pay in cash. Like all other states that legalized marijuana, California requires all cannabis sales to be made in cash. Most cannabis stores, thankfully, have ATMs where you can withdraw money for a modest fee. Cali dispensary is cash-only since banks function on the federal level, where weed is still illegal, preventing banks from accepting anything other than cash from dispensaries. As a result, California shops would not take personal checks, credit cards, debit cards, or cryptocurrency as payment for marijuana goods;
  • If you are a medicinal cannabis patient, you can bring your medical card and purchase higher levels of THC goods than individuals who do not have one. Although Cali dispensaries will not accept out-of-state medical marijuana cards, patients can still buy marijuana from recreational stores.

Where Is It Allowed to Consume?

California has enacted legislation specifying where people can and cannot consume marijuana. According to the law, it is prohibited to consume, smoke, ingest, or vape cannabis in public. It is forbidden to open a cannabis package or any cannabis items in public. This includes parks and walkways as well as commercial and residential locations. It is also illegal to consume marijuana in places where smoking is prohibited, such as pubs, restaurants, public buildings, workplaces, and spaces within 15 feet of doors and ventilation openings.
As a result, there are just a few areas in California where you can smoke and enjoy cannabis: 

  • Inside your own house;
  • Inside a rented property with formal permission from the landlord;
  • Inside a permitted usage lounge.

How to Transport Cannabis Through California?

It is vital to know that California has established cannabis transportation and consumption laws. To legally transport marijuana in California, you must meet the following requirements:

  • You can transport cannabis products only in case if you are 21 or older;
  • You are permitted to carry 28.5 grams of cannabis plant material (which is about an ounce) and 8 grams of concentrated marijuana;
  • You cannot drive while high on cannabis. Driving under the influence of marijuana is punishable by 96 hours to 6 months in prison and a fine ranging from $390 to $1,000. These fines increase based on whether it is the first, second, or third infraction;
  • You cannot transport cannabis across state boundaries, even if you are heading to another state where marijuana is legal.

Where to Buy: Best Dispensaries in California

The long history of marijuana in California made this state the first to make cannabis usage legal. Therefore it offers a wide choice of different dispensaries with high quality products. More than 800 pot shops provide customers with pure cannabis at prices that are frequently lower than in the illicit market. 
Depending on what kind of consumption you choose, there are 2 types of dispensaries you may find in the Golden State. Looking for recreational marijuana dispensaries near me will bring you to the list of places that sell licensed cannabis products that contain THC and are meant to help you get high. 

If you are not looking for a psychoactive sensation and just need cannabis as a patient, you can search for a medical dispensary near your location. However, in California, the distinction between "medical" and "recreational" dispensaries is blurring, with many recreational stores also servicing medicinal patients. Nonetheless, they remain two distinct markets for the time being. List of cities with the largest number of dispensaries in California:

Dispensaries Working Hours

The majority of marijuana dispensary California can be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pot shps are permitted to operate 7 days a week and are frequently open on holidays and special occasions. Dispensaries in California are only permitted to operate legally until 10 p.m. Pacific Time. However, if you want to buy cannabis items past midnight, you can search for late night dispensaries in Cali. Some of them may stay open till 3-4 a.m.

Diversity of Cannabis Products

California dispensary menu offers a diverse range of cannabis products that vary in price, purity, strength, and distinct cannabinoid combinations. You can find unique products in the state, as Cali is a motherland of different strains that are not that easily accessible elsewhere. Cannabis flower, THC extracts, THC edibles, cartridges, and pre-rolls are all commonly accessible in California dispensaries.
 

FAQ

In California, Sacramento has the most marijuana dispensaries per capita. Furthermore, the capital shines as California's greatest weed city due to its low marijuana pricing - the lowest of the 50 best cannabis cities in the United States. An ounce of high-quality cannabis costs around 34% less than the national average ($318), while an ounce of medium-quality marijuana costs 30% less ($177.)
California recreational cannabis dispensaries are collecting personal information from consumers, including government identity cards and the items they purchase, despite the fact that record keeping is not part of Proposition 64, the state law approved by voters in November 2016.
Dispensaries can check age, track guests, and optimize operations by scanning IDs. Scanning IDs streamlines guest entry and confirm that dispensaries comply with state and local legislation.
Yes, dispensaries in California can ship cannabis to other states. It has been permitted for businesses to transport out of state since 2021. Some California dispensaries have only lately begun to provide mail-order marijuana.
No, California will not accept out-of-state medical cards. To use a medical card’s benefits, you will need to have it issued inside the state.
It is not necessary to have a prescription to buy cannabis from a dispensary in California. The only thing you need is your ID which proves that you are 21 or older. But if you are a medical marijuana patient, you may take your in-state medicinal card with you to get access to higher THC options.
Yes, cannabis has become legal for medicinal usage in California since 1996 and for recreational consumption since 2016.