In 2016, registered California voters decided that they were in favor of legalized marijuana and voted yes to Proposition 64. A little over a year later, on January 1, 2018, it became legal for adults to enjoy marijuana throughout the state. What some people failed to realize is that even though it was not legal to use cannabis, there were still some rules regarding when and how marijuana could be enjoyed.
To begin, just because a person is legally an adult, it doesn’t mean they are going to be able to use marijuana. The way the state law is currently written is that you can only legally use marijuana in California if you’ve passed your twenty-first birthday. Just like with alcohol and cigarettes, anyone under the age of 21 who is caught with marijuana will face legal repercussions. Minors who are caught with marijuana in California are charged with a misdemeanor. If convicted, they can be fined and ordered to perform community service and be required to participate in a drug counseling program.
The next thing to be aware of is that you’re only allowed to have a limited amount of marijuana on you at any given time. The way the law is currently written, you can only have a single ounce of dried marijuana or up to 8 grams of concentrated cannabis at a time in your possession.
While you are allowed to cultivate marijuana plants in your own home, there is a limit. The state has determined the average person doesn’t need more than six plants.
Failing to pay attention to the laws surrounding the amount of marijuana you’re legally allowed to have has costly repercussions.
If the police discover that you aren’t paying attention to California’s marijuana laws and are exceeding the legal limits of recreational marijuana, you will be charged with a misdemeanor. If you’re convicted you could be ordered to spend up to six months in jail and/or pay a $500 fine.
While you are allowed to use marijuana in California, you’re not allowed to profit from it. Unless you’ve gone through the process of obtaining a license from both the state and your local government, you’re not allowed to sell marijuana, not even if you’ve discovered that you grew more than you use.
It’s important to understand that while the state has legalized recreational marijuana for personal use, actually using them involves having the property owner’s consent. That means it is perfectly legal for your employer and/or landowner to tell you that you’re not allowed to use marijuana while you’re on their property.
If you’re using recreational marijuana, remember that state law prohibits its use in public places which include sidewalks and public parks. You also aren’t allowed to have an open container of marijuana when you’re out in public.
If you plan on using recreational marijuana, you should check with your local government and see if they have any additional marijuana restrictions.