Is cannabis legal in California?

Q: Is cannabis legal in California?

Cannabis in California is permitted. Recreational cannabis is legal in California for adults 21 and older (Prop 64, 2016), and medicinal use is allowed at 18 and older with a recommendation. It is regulated by the Department of Cannabis Control.

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CALIFORNIA · CANNABIS

Cannabis

Permitted: Recreational cannabis is legal in California for adults 21 and older (Prop 64, 2016), and medicinal use is allowed at 18 and older with a recommendation.

Permitted

Summary

Recreational cannabis is legal in California for adults 21 and older (Prop 64, 2016), and medicinal use is allowed at 18 and older with a recommendation. It is regulated by the Department of Cannabis Control.

Source: https://www.cannabis.ca.gov/consumers/whats-legal/ · Updated July 12, 2026

California Cannabis topics

Cannabis Legal Status in California →Permitted
Recreational cannabis is legal in California for adults 21 and older (Prop 64, 2016), and medicinal use is allowed at 18 and older with a recommendation.
Possession Limits in California →Permitted
In California, adults 21 and older may possess up to 1 ounce (28.5 grams) of flower and up to 8 grams of concentrate.
Home Cultivation in California →Permitted
California allows home cultivation for adults 21 and older: up to 6 plants per residence, though local rules may require you to grow indoors.
Public Use in California →Restricted
Using cannabis in public is prohibited in California — not in public places, not where tobacco is banned, and not within 1,000 feet of a school or daycare while children are present.
Buying Cannabis in California →Permitted
Adults 21 and older may buy cannabis in California from retailers licensed by the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC), with a transaction limit of 1 ounce of flower and 8 grams of concentrate.

Other California laws

Cannabis in nearby states

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