California cannabis laws have evolved significantly since the legalization of medical marijuana in 1996 and the approval of recreational use through Proposition 64 in 2016. Today, adults aged 21 and over can purchase up to 28.5 grams of non-concentrated cannabis and 8 grams of concentrated cannabis per day, while medical marijuana patients have an 8-ounce purchase limit.
Legal Reference:
(a) A licensee and their designated account manager(s) shall:
Legal Reference:
(a) A licensed retailer shall not sell more than:
(b) Medical cannabis patients or caregivers can purchase:
Legal Reference:
(a) A 15% cannabis excise tax is imposed on purchasers at the point of sale.
Legal Reference:
Legal Reference:
The track and trace system is crucial for maintaining compliance in California’s cannabis industry. The Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) uses Metrc, a state-of-the-art track-and-trace system that monitors the movement of cannabis products from “seed-to-sale.” Here’s what you need to know:
By following these guidelines, California cannabis businesses can ensure they are compliant with state regulations and maintain an accurate and transparent record of all cannabis products from seed to sale.
Next, we will cover the packaging and labeling requirements for California cannabis businesses.
Packaging and labeling are critical aspects of compliance for cannabis products in California. The Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) sets strict guidelines to ensure consumer safety and product transparency. Here’s what you need to know:
By adhering to these detailed packaging and labeling requirements, cannabis businesses in California can ensure compliance with state regulations, promote consumer safety, and maintain product integrity.
Next, we will discuss the purchase limits for cannabis in California.
Understanding purchase limits is crucial for both dispensaries and consumers to ensure compliance with California cannabis laws. Here’s a breakdown of the purchase limits for both adult-use and medical cannabis in California:
Adult-Use Cannabis:
Medical Cannabis:
By understanding and adhering to these purchase limits, both consumers and dispensaries can ensure compliance with California’s cannabis laws and contribute to a safe and regulated cannabis market.
Next, we will discuss the taxes associated with cannabis sales in California.
Understanding the tax structure is essential for both cannabis businesses and consumers in California. The following section outlines the key aspects of cannabis taxation in the state.
Cannabis Excise Tax:
State and Local Sales Tax:
Business Tax:
Cultivation Tax:
By understanding the tax obligations, cannabis businesses can maintain compliance and consumers can make informed purchasing decisions. Next, we will cover advertising and marketing regulations for cannabis businesses in California.
Advertising and marketing are crucial for the success of cannabis businesses, but they come with strict regulations to ensure compliance and protect public interest. The following section outlines the key rules and guidelines for advertising and marketing cannabis products in California.
Identification and Transparency:
Audience Restrictions:
Media Restrictions:
Content Restrictions:
Location Restrictions:
Promotional Restrictions:
Social Media and Online Advertising:
By adhering to these advertising and marketing guidelines, cannabis businesses can effectively promote their products while remaining compliant with California’s regulations. Next, we will explore the rules for delivery services limits in the state.
Cannabis delivery is legal in California, with strict regulations in place to ensure compliance and safety. Licensed retailers, microbusinesses with a non-storefront retail license, and licensed nonprofits are allowed to conduct delivery services.
Delivery Authorization:
Employee Identification:
Delivery Documentation:
Jurisdictional Restrictions:
Delivery Limits:
Curbside Delivery:
Safety and Compliance:
By adhering to these detailed delivery regulations, cannabis businesses in California can provide safe and compliant delivery services, expanding their reach and customer convenience while maintaining strict adherence to the state’s legal framework.
Is recreational cannabis legal in California?
Yes, recreational cannabis is legal in California. Proposition 64, also known as the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA), legalized the use and possession of cannabis for adults aged 21 and over in 2016.
What is the tax on cannabis in California?
Recreational cannabis users in California pay a 15% excise tax. Beginning January 1, 2023, this tax is collected by retailers and charged directly to purchasers. Additionally, California imposes state sales tax and business tax for recreational sales, though specific rates may vary by location.
How much weed can I buy in California?
Adults aged 21 and over can purchase up to:
Medical marijuana patients can purchase up to:
Where can I buy cannabis in California?
Cannabis can be purchased from licensed retailers throughout the state. These retailers must comply with state regulations and maintain proper licensing to sell cannabis and cannabis products.
What are the qualifying conditions for medical cannabis in California?
Qualifying conditions for medical cannabis in California include, but are not limited to:
Where can I use cannabis in California?
Cannabis use is permitted in private residences and certain licensed establishments. However, it is illegal to use cannabis in public places, while driving, or in any location where smoking tobacco is prohibited. Local jurisdictions may have additional restrictions on cannabis use.
Our experts can help you navigate complex cannabis regulations and ensure your business stays compliant.
As a CTO, Mak Thigale leads the Products and Engineering at UZIO. He drives UZIO’s charter of being an AI First company. He has a hands-on approach to AI strategy and implementation. He guides the UZIO team to identify impactful AI use cases, experiment with technologies like machine learning, LLMs and agentic frameworks, and to put AI solutions in production.
Mak is an accomplished technology leader with over 35 years of global IT experience, bringing deep expertise in AI, technology transformation, and large-scale enterprise solutions. He has successfully led multi-million and billion-dollar outsourcing engagements across industries, including Healthcare, Manufacturing, Technology, BFSI, and Utilities, for Fortune 500 companies.
Mak’s professional journey includes leadership roles at Wipro, where he spearheaded initiatives in hyper-automation, delivery transition & transformation, and M&A integration. He has also advised companies on leveraging Generative AI (Gen AI) and large language models (LLMs) to deliver greater value to stakeholders. Mak is a global citizen having lived and worked in the US, Canada, Germany and India and has managed large, global teams.
Mak’s other passions include cooking, reading, and traveling. He is an avid follower of cricket.
Mak holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science from Pune Institute of Computer Technology, Pune, India.
Lilly Raney, the newly appointed Head of Sales for UZIO, brings over 15 years of diversified industry experience to her new leadership role. Beginning her professional journey in the athletic footwear and apparel sector, she spent a decade supporting specialty brick-and-mortar establishments. In 2018, Lilly made a strategic transition into the cannabis field.
She has since devoted 5 years to specializing in SaaS POS systems, first within the cannabis industry, and subsequently expanding into other SaaS verticals including HR/Payroll with UZIO. As a former Regional Sales Director at Dutchie, Lilly’s core expertise centers on sales leadership and operational efficiency.
With a proven track record and a steadfast dedication to pushing boundaries, Lilly Raney emerges as a beacon of excellence within the realm of sales leadership. Her unwavering dedication to fostering a strong and sustainable future for the cannabis industry is a testament to her commitment to innovation and growth.
Peter Harrison has over 35 years of experience building and leading global technology companies. Started and grew five companies, two that went public and three that each went on to be worth over $1 billion.
Directly involved in raising $600 million of private and public capital and led the acquisition and integration of a dozen firms, creating businesses with a combined market capitalization of over $18 billion.
Human Resource Professional with 10+ Years of experience in Strategic HR, Organization Development & Talent Management in global organizations. Proactive approach in institutionalizing HR practices.
Instrumental in driving managerial effectiveness, high performance culture, and talent lifecycle management.
Ana obtained her Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) degree from Kurkshetra University. And her Post Graduate Diploma in Management Studies, in Human Resources Development from Institute of Management Studies, Noida.
Dheeraj leads the product management team behind the UZIO HR Management software. He has around 15 years of experience, especially in HR and benefits administration. His experience lies in taking the product from conceptualization to the market stage to help the company for the next level of growth.
Before joining UZIO, he worked at hCentive Inc and managed various product modules. He has also worked with Hewitt, Conduent Technologies in India, and managed a large group of client benefits into the system.
Dheeraj obtained his bachelor’s degree in Business administration from a regional college and a master’s degree in Computer Applications from the Institute of Management and Technology, Faridabad (India).
Sanjay Singh is the Founder/ CEO of UZIO. The 2020 American Business Awards® honored him as “Entrepreneur Of The Year”.
Being a globally recognized serial entrepreneur, Sanjay co-founded, launched, built, and presided over two other successful ventures – GlobalLogic and hCentive, before founding UZIO. GlobalLogic, founded in 2000 and acquired by Hitachi Ltd. in 2021, is now a 32,000+ employees strong company with employees in more than 23 countries. It’s a Digital Product Engineering Services company that caters to the needs of digital media, electronics, healthcare, infrastructure, finance, retail, and telecom industries. Sanjay served as President there for almost 10 years.
Acquired by a private equity firm in 2013, this full-lifecycle product development services leader generated attractive returns for its shareholders from top-notch VC firms like New Atlantic Ventures, Sequoia, and NEA. Founded in 2009, hCentive, a healthcare technology and services company that specializes in cloud-based products for health insurers and state health agencies. In 2014, the company launched WebInsure Benefits, a multi-carrier, multi-product platform that supports government agencies, insurance carriers, and brokers for benefits choices. hCentive has been in Inc. 5000 fastest growing companies list for three consecutive years.
Sanjay holds an MS in Engineering and Management from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, India, and a BE from the Government College of Engineering in Raipur, India.
Sanjay’s other passions include public policy and American history. He loves to listen to C-Span or read biographies of American presidents in his leisure time.