Cannabis is legal in California but does that mean you can smoke anywhere and everywhere? If you’re new to smoking, you might catch yourself wondering where can you smoke in California. Are there designated spots to smoke weed? Or do some cities within the state ban smoking? We’re diving headfirst into the details today.

Since 2018, smoking cannabis in California has been legal. With that being said, there are a few stipulations to keep in mind! You must be at least 21 years or older to consume cannabis but adults between the ages of 18 and 21 are allowed to consume cannabis if they have a California Medical Marijuana Identification Card or if it has been prescribed by a doctor. It’s also important to keep in mind that you can only possess up to 1 ounce of flower to be smoked and up to 8 grams of concentrates such as oils or edibles.

You’d think that with cannabis being legal in California, you’d be allowed to smoke anywhere but that’s not the case. Sure, you can smoke in your private home but if you’re renting or in a short-term stay, you might not be allowed to smoke inside or on the property. That will be up to the landlord.

Despite the large sum of people who smoke in public, it’s illegal to do so in California. When cannabis was first legalized in the state, this was extremely frustrating for regular users because there weren’t any public places available to smoke weed for the first year or two.

If you’re thinking about smoking a joint while you go for a hike or while hanging out at a public park –think again. It’s illegal to consume cannabis on federal lands, in national parks or within 1,000 ft of children. If you do, you can face fines between $100 -$1,000.

It goes without saying that the consumption of cannabis while operating a vehicle is strictly prohibited and illegal, falling under the category of a DUI (driving under the influence). Unlike drinking, it’s much more challenging to determine whether or not someone is under the influence of cannabis while driving. Present-day tests can’t determine if the substance has been consumed that day because cannabis can stay in your system for days. With that being said, your best bet is to avoid having cannabis in the car, unless it’s sealed or kept in the trunk.

Despite the state as a whole legalizing cannabis, about two thirds of California municipalities won’t let you light up. Only 161 of 482 municipalities allow commercial cannabis activity and some allow medical marijuana companies but won’t allow recreational businesses.

Which municipalities are the toughest on their regulations? The city of Agoura Hills doesn’t allow medicinal or recreational use of cannabis, as well as Hermosa Beach and Fresno. Pasadena took things to the next level by having the power to turn off businesses’ utilities that are selling cannabis.

Although some cities are making it a challenge to enjoy the legalization of cannabis, others are coming around. Montebello allows residents to grow recreational cannabis, as long as they don’t owe taxes.

If you’re wondering where you can smoke in California, you can never go wrong with cannabis cafes and lounges.

San Francisco and Los Angeles are hot spots when it comes to these lounges. Similarly to drinking at a bar, more and more establishments have popped up over the years to serve cannabis lovers. Bars need a license to sell alcohol and the same applies to smoking lounges and cannabis. The first cannabis license in the country was granted to a West Hollywood establishment in 2019.

Since then, the cannabis tourist industry has grown immensely, and new businesses have popped up that allow the consumption of cannabis. Bud and Breakfast is a cannabis-friendly lodging, providing a safe space for people to enjoy cannabis.

As you’ve probably seen by now, knowing when or where you can consume or smoke cannabis in California is confusing. Just remember as a general rule of thumb that if you can’t smoke a cigarette, you probably can’t smoke cannabis there either!

Glass House Farms is a California cannabis farm that’s dedicated to providing you with quality cannabis. Shop our range of products today and keep up to date with cannabis news over on our blog. Read our next article: State Lines Make for Complex Legal Cannabis Geography.