Legal Background
The state of California passed Proposition 215, Compassionate Use Act in 1996, becoming the first U.S. state to legalize medical marijuana. Carrying on the legalization path, the state opened doors for adult-use marijuana by passing Proposition 46, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act. Currently, California allows the consumption, possession, and cultivation of both medical and recreational marijuana.
Transportation Laws
The California laws for traveling with marijuana are lenient within state borders. You can transport/ carry the legal amount with you in a sealed container. However, while driving a vehicle, it is recommended to store your sealed container in the trunk of your vehicle.
Crossing borders, on-road, or via airways with cannabis is not permitted. Since the federal government still considers marijuana to be an illegal substance, getting on a plane with medical marijuana is a federal offense.
Instead of carrying your marijuana with you, carry your MMJ card along when visiting another state. Some states allow you to access their dispensaries with out-of-state MMJ cards.
Cultivation Laws
A medical marijuana patient or their caregiver can cultivate up to 6 mature or 12 immature marijuana plants at home.
These plants should be grown indoors (someplace away from the public’s view and reach). Outdoor cultivation is not permitted.
The harvest can only be used for personal consumption and cannot be sold to other consumers.
Multiple patients cannot pool their resources to grow more than the legal amount.
Patients who require more than 6 mature or 12 immature cannabis plants to manage their conditions must apply for a grower's license.
Medical Marijuana Laws in California
To begin with, California has shortlisted some medical conditions that qualify for medical marijuana support. These include anorexia, arthritis, cachexia, cancer, chronic pain, HIV/ AIDS, glaucoma, migraine, persistent muscle spasms, severe nausea, seizures, and any debilitating condition that could see potential improvement with medical marijuana.
To purchase or consume medical marijuana, a patient must be at least 18 years of age. In the case of a minor, the patient should either be emancipated (free from any parental or adult control) or should have a designated caregiver. The caregiver will be responsible for purchasing, administering doses, and cultivating cannabis for the patient’s use.
A medical marijuana cardholder can purchase/ possess up to 8 ounces of dried flower and six mature or 12 immature marijuana plants.
MMJ patients cannot consume cannabis in public or not on federal grounds. Most places of work and education require patients to consume their MMJ doses outside the vicinity. You can freely consume cannabis at your place of residence unless your landlord bans its consumption.
Reciprocity Programs
California does not support any MMJ reciprocity programs at the moment, so visitors cannot access medical cannabis from out-of-state MMJ cards.
However, the state does allow visitors to apply for a California MMJ recommendation as long as they are non-Californian U.S. citizens. You can connect with our MMJ physicians, get evaluated, and receive your MMJ card. Since California has legalized recreational cannabis, you can find adult-use cannabis products too.
Situations That Can Lead to Legal Repercussions
While a legit medical marijuana card in California leads to a legal pardon in most situations, you might find yourself on the wrong side of the law in the following cases:
If you have a fake MMJ card. California has hundreds of medical marijuana clinics but not all of them are legit. Any recommendation that you receive from such a clinic is void in the eyes of law enforcement. If caught buying cannabis with this card, you can end up in some legal problems.
Possessing, or cultivating more than the legal amount of cannabis can land you in trouble.
Purchase Medical Marijuana from Licensed Dispensaries
There are hundreds of licensed dispensaries and MMJ delivery services across the state. You can easily avail required services from these dispensaries without fear of being caught. While making a purchase, you must carry your medical marijuana card or recommendation along.
