How Much Weed Can You Carry Legally in California?

jars of weed in washington

As of 2016, it was reported by the U.S. Census Bureau that 39.25 million people live in California, and that number continues to increase. Not only does California have beautiful weather, beautiful beaches, and beautiful people, it’s also one of the ten U.S. states (including Washington, D.C.) that have legalized recreational marijuana consumption for adults.

California has been a leader in medical marijuana legislation since the 90s when they legalized medical marijuana. In 2016, recreational marijuana legalization finally became a reality in California, but there are some important factors that people should be aware of before carrying and/or consuming weed in public. You have to know how much weed you can carry legally in California!

Proposition 215

Under Proposition 215 (California’s Compassionate Use Act), medical patients are entitled to whichever amount of cannabis is necessary for their personal medical use. This specific proposition covers cannabis possession and cultivation for the use of medical marijuana by certified cardholders. However, medical cardholders can be arrested if they end up exceeding reasonable weed possession, including carrying too much weed and/or growing too much. It’s possible for them to be cited and/or fined for not following California’s local laws.

Under California’s MMRSA (Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act), which went into effect on January 1st, 2016, qualified medical cardholders are able to cultivate up to 100 square feet for medical usage, and primary caregivers are able to cultivate up to 500 square feet serving five or fewer patients, as stated by CANORML.org.

Proposition 64

editorial potent cannabis in jar
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Regarding the specific amount of weed you can legally carry, as of the newly enacted Proposition 64, adults can legally possess/carry as much as 1-ounce of weed of the flower/bud or eight grams of concentrate such as oil, hash, and/or dabs. Proposition 64 was passed on November 9th, 2016 with a 57 percent voter approval, and it was added into California law for several reasons, including the following:

Proposition 64 includes reducing penalties for most illegal cultivation, sale, transport, and possession-for-sale offenses from felonies to misdemeanors, it establishes a licensed regulation system for commercial production and sale of adult recreational cannabis (beginning January 1st, 2018), it allows for industrial hemp production, and it prohibits smoking and consumption of weed in any ‘public place’ or while driving, possession on school grounds, or possession of an open container of weed while driving or riding a motor vehicle.

Additionally, Proposition 64 does not apply to federal property such as California national parks. Since cannabis remains an illegal Schedule I substance under the U.S. Controlled Substance Act, medical cannabis consumers and recreational users cannot consume weed on federal property like national parks and forests.

Regarding the future of recreational weed in California, in 2018, Proposition 64 resulted in the sale of marijuana for adult use in licensed dispensaries under established regulations by both the state Department of Marijuana Control and local governments. Also, all forms of marijuana undergo state and local taxes.

California Weed in 2019

Marijuana Plant SunsetAs long as you’re over the age of 21 and you’re a California resident, it’s legal to use, possess/carry, share, and/or grow weed at your residence. As of right now, adults cannot ingest or smoke weed in public areas. However, some areas of California have started allowing cannabis cafes and lounges to open.

California has more lax possession laws than some other states. In California, adults can legally possess:

  • up to one ounce of dried flower; and
  • up to eight grams of concentrate; and
  • and grow up to six plants at home

California also allows delivery services to bring marijuana to you at home. What a time to be alive; adults can legally have cannabis delivered to them without leaving their house!


To obtain a medical marijuana card in California, you can fill out the medical evaluation form and other personal information online. For more information on this, read the following article:

https://www.leafbuyer.com/blog/how-to-get-a-medical-marijuana-card-online-in-california/

If you have a medical marijuana card and you want to purchase some weed and legally carry it while on the go, check out the article below that lists some of California’s best dispensaries: https://www.leafbuyer.com/blog/must-visit-california-dispensaries-for-this-summer/