Medical marijuana is legal in California. So is recreational marijuana. People can buy products at local dispensaries, and everything is supposed to be properly registered with the state. This leads many people to assume that California has simply done away with its marijuana laws and made the substance legal.
But that is not the case. There are still cannabis laws within the state that have to be followed. People can still be arrested for breaking these laws. The laws haven’t been eliminated so much as they have simply been changed or adjusted. But everyone still needs to know what regulations are in place. Below are a few examples.
The age to make a purchase
To begin with, just like alcohol, people have to be at least 21 years old to buy marijuana products. If someone purchases them while they are still underage, or if someone is accused of selling to someone else who is underage, there can be strict ramifications.
Business regulations
Dispensaries also have to be aware of the cannabis laws. They need to have the proper license, and marijuana can only be sold at official dispensary locations. Businesses also have to follow general laws about things like environmental protection, tax payments, waste disposal and much more.
Cultivation regulations
People are also allowed to grow marijuana in California. However, they can only have up to six plants at a single time. If they have more, they could be charged with a misdemeanor that comes with a $500 fine and up to six months behind bars.
As you can see, there are still plenty of rules to be aware of around marijuana in California. Those who have been arrested and are facing charges need to know exactly what legal options they have at their disposal.