California’s Marijuana Industry: Laws & Penalties

The relationship between marijuana and the state of California has generally been a positive one. The drug was first decriminalized in the state in 1975, which meant that you were not charged with a crime if you were caught with small quantities of the drug. In addition, the state managed to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes in 1996.

While a few states are now following suit, California was almost two decades early on that front. And even though we had some hiccups when it came to full legalization, the bill finally passed in 2016 making marijuana legal in the state if you are over the age of 21.

Marijuana in California – Legal

The law now states that you can possess up to one ounce of marijuana – and cultivate up to six plants. The cultivation must be done away from public view, and it is still not advisable to get caught with an open container or package of marijuana if you are driving or out in public. There are now a few steps that residents can follow if they want to get a card to obtain marijuana legally. Here are those steps.

Legally Obtaining Marijuana in California

If you are a California resident, and you are over the age of 21, you can get a marijuana card. The card will allow you to buy up to half a pound of marijuana at one time – and even grow up to six mature plants. This is only for those who have a medical need for marijuana, because the law is not as lax for those who are just wanting to obtain the drug for recreational purposes.

For those who want the health benefits of marijuana, but do not want to smoke it or add it to food, there is the option of using CBD oil or capsules. You can easily find American Hemp Oil CBD Capsules or CBD oil online at reputable websites. These distributors use organic and 100 percent pure CBD oil, which means you are getting all the health benefits of cannabis. And since the oil does not have any THC, you are not going to get high or experience any other psychoactive side effects when taking the pills.

Consuming Marijuana in California

While it is not a surprise if you are passing by a public area in California and you are smelling marijuana, it is still not advisable to light up in public. This is especially true for those who are not from the state, as you may not be sure about the places where the use of marijuana is frowned upon. Those who want to use marijuana in public, but want to be discreet, can get vape pens. These pens allow you to “smoke” marijuana in a stealthy way, as there is almost no smoke and there is very little smell too.

If you have a medical marijuana card, then you just need to find a map of the different dispensaries in the state. This will help you to figure out where you can buy your first batch of legal marijuana!