How to Legally Buy Marijuana in California

In January 2018, California issued its first adult use cannabis retail licenses, effectively launching the state’s recreational cannabis industry. Anyone who is at least 21 years of age can legally purchase cannabis from a licensed adult use retailer. Veteran smokers can finally enjoy their hobby legally, while many others will discover how to legally buy marijuana. It’s important to remember that cannabis is also a medicine, and that the medical marijuana is another viable path to obtaining the substance.

If you’re facing criminal charges relating to the possession or consumption of marijuana, contact a San Diego marijuana lawyer from McElfresh Law at (858) 756-7107 to schedule a free case consultation.

What You Need to Know About Buying Adult Use Cannabis in California

Here’s what you need to know about legally buying marijuana in California:

Where to Buy
The state is now issuing licenses on an on-going basis, so the number of legal adult use dispensaries is constantly growing. There are nearly 100 of them in California today. Some municipalities, however, prohibit local sales of recreational marijuana. A quick Google search can tell you where the closest dispensary is.

When to Buy
State law prohibits the sale of adult use marijuana between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Local laws may restrict business hours even further. If you prefer to have your cannabis delivered, you can check if your local dispensaries offer such services.

Cash is King
Cannabis businesses usually prefer (or mandate) that their customers pay with cash. This is because federal regulations make it difficult for banks to work with cannabis businesses, who in turn are forced to operate as cash-only operations.

What to Buy
Unless you are an experienced user, you will likely be overwhelmed by the variety of cannabis products offered by your local dispensary. Cannabis plants can be divided into three types: sativa, which gives a more energetic and cerebral effect; indica, which produces more of a drowsy, body buzz; and hybrids, which produce a combination of these effects.

The Difference Between THC and CBD
THC is one of the chemical compounds in cannabis that produces the high effect that is often associated with the substance. CBD, on the other hand, is responsible for many of the medically beneficial effects of cannabis, such as pain suppression. Indica plants have a higher concentration of CBD than sativa plants. Cannabis extracts and concentrates such as contain high amounts of THC and/or CBD.

How to Consume
Once you determine what sort of plant you want, you need to figure out how to consume it. The fastest-acting method is to smoke or vaporize cannabis flowers or extracts. You can eat cannabis products (but not flowers) for a strong, yet delayed effect. Many users accidentally eat too much, expecting the product to have a faster effect. To obtain an anti-inflammatory effect, some medical users rub cannabis oils or lotions on their body.

Medical Marijuana is Still an Option
Medical marijuana is alive and well in California. People with a medical license can grow more plants and obtain cannabis at a younger age than recreational users. For example, medical marijuana is available to all adults with a doctor’s recommendation, and even children who have the consent of their parents.

Growing Your Own
California’s cannabis laws allow every person over 21 to grow and keep the flowers from up to six cannabis plants. Growing, drying, and trimming cannabis is a laborious, but rewarding process that can give you lots of flowers for very little cost.

How a California Cannabis Attorney Can Help

California may have legalized the possession of cannabis, but the plant remains illegal at the federal level. This means that you can be charged for cannabis possession if you get busted by federal law enforcement on federal land, such as a national park. Federal cannabis laws are harsh, and you will need to retain an experienced legal professional if you want to avoid criminal penalties.

Call McElfresh Law today at (858) 756-7107, or use our online form if you have been charged with cannabis possession and would like to speak with an experienced San Diego marijuana attorney.

California marijuana laws change frequently. For updated information, see the following pages: Medicinal Uses of Marijuana and Recreational Marijuana Business