Cannabis Frequently Asked Questions

RULES

Is marijuana legal in California?

Yes. Adults aged 21 and older are allowed to purchase and possess cannabis.

How much cannabis is legal to purchase and possess in California?

You may purchase, possess, and transport up to 28.5 grams of cannabis plant material (about an ounce) and 8 grams of concentrated cannabis (oils, edibles, topicals). When in doubt about how much you can purchase and have, ask a budtender at a dispensary.

What do I absolutely need to know about cannabis if I am visiting California?

• You must be 21 or older to have, purchase or use recreational cannabis. .
• It is illegal to drive under the influence of cannabis.
• It is illegal to consume, smoke, eat, or vape cannabis in public. This includes but is not limited to parks and sidewalks, business and residential areas.
• It is also illegal to consume cannabis in other locations where smoking is illegal, including bars, restaurants, buildings open to the public, places of employment, and areas within 15 feet of doors and ventilation openings.
• Even though it is legal under California law, you cannot consume or possess cannabis on federal lands such as national parks.
• You can consume cannabis on private property.
• It is illegal to take your cannabis across state lines, even if you are traveling to another state where cannabis is legal.
• Only state licensed establishments may sell retail cannabis products.
• You may possess 28.5 grams of cannabis plant material (about an ounce) and 8 grams of concentrated cannabis.

Will California honor my out-of-state (non-California) medical marijuana card?

Short answer, No. Surprisingly, California does not offer reciprocity to out-of-state cardholders. However, residency is not a requirement to apply for the state’s medical marijuana program, thus, visiting cardholders may obtain one while in the state.

Getting a medical cannabis card is a quick and efficient process, that can be issued the same day as the appointment. Pro tip: you may be able to use telemedicine to obtain a California medical marijuana card in advance of your visit.

Do I need a doctor’s prescription to buy Cannabis in California?

No. Assuming you are 21 or older, you can legally purchase cannabis products at a Recreational Dispensary.

Where can I legally consume cannabis?

You can consume cannabis on private property.

It is also illegal to consume cannabis in places where smoking is illegal, including bars, restaurants, buildings open to the public, places of employment, and areas within 15 feet of doors and ventilation openings. Finally, you cannot consume or possess cannabis on federal lands such as national parks.

If you do get cited by law enforcement, it’s considered an infraction and there is a $100 fine. Smoking or vaping in a non-smoking area or within 1,000 feet of a school, daycare, or youth center while children are present increases the fine to $250. Consuming in a car, boat, or plane, or carrying an open container of cannabis will cost you $250.

Can I fly with recreational cannabis?

No (not legally). Marijuana continues to be illegal under federal law. Bringing legally purchased cannabis past a security checkpoint is not allowed.

Can I fly with a vape pen or e-cigarette?

Yes. According to our friends at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), you are allowed to carry “battery-powered E-cigarettes, vaporizers, vape pens, atomizers, and electronic nicotine delivery systems in carry-on baggage or on your person. However, make sure the vape pen does not have cannabis in the pen if you are planning to fly.

DISPENSARIES

Where can I buy cannabis?

You can legally purchase cannabis products in two ways:

• Physical Dispensaries (recreational and medical)
• Delivery services

What is a dispensary?

Even though cannabis is legal in California, you won’t find it at Safeway or Walgreens. You will need to visit a licensed dispensary.

There are two types of cannabis dispensaries: Recreational and Medical.

What is a Recreational Dispensary?

A Recreational Dispensary does NOT require a medical cannabis card. In order to shop at a recreational dispensary, you just need to show your ID to prove that you’re 21 years of age or older.

What is a Medical Dispensary?

A Medical Dispensary requires a medical cannabis card and proof that you’re 18 years or older. These days, medical cards can be obtained pretty quickly and easily online by contacting the dispensary directly.

What’s the difference between Recreational dispensaries and Medical dispensaries?

The short answer, they are very similar. The main difference: Recreational Dispensaries do NOT require a medical marijuana card to purchase cannabis from the dispensary, but Medical Dispensaries DO require a medical card. Long Answer, see the Dispensaries section of our Guide to Cannabis in WineCountry for a detailed summary of both recreational and medical dispensaries.

What products are available at a Dispensary?

There are many different types of products sold at dispensaries offering consumers the opportunity to eat, smoke, drink, rub, and vape cannabis products. see the ‘Consuming Cannabis’ section of our Guide to Cannabis in WineCountry for a detailed summary of product categories available at dispensaries

How much can I buy at a Dispensary?

Dispensaries are allowed to sell a maximum of 28.5 grams to each customer each visit. Simply put, that’s a lot of weed, you should have no problem buying what you need.

Do dispensaries accept debit and credit cards?

No

Why do dispensaries only take cash?

Even though cannabis is legal in California, cannabis is still illegal at the federal level. Financial institutions that process payments from debit and credit cards are regulated by federal laws. As a result, these financial institutions cannot handle money involved in an activity that is classified as illegal at the Federal level. Therefore, dispensaries can only accept cash.

What is a “Budtender?”

The term “budtender” is a combination of the word “bud” (the flower of the cannabis plant) and “bartender.” A budtender is an employee who works at a dispensary and helps educate customers about the benefits, effects, and overall experience of cannabis products.

Most budtenders are not medically trained, but they can be very helpful in customizing a customer’s cannabis experience.

DELIVERY

Can I get cannabis products delivered?

Yes. See the Delivery section of our Guide to Cannabis in WineCountry for a detailed summary on how to order cannabis products for delivery.

How does cannabis delivery work?

Find a cannabis delivery company and order online through their website. See the Delivery section of our Guide to Cannabis in WineCountry for a detailed summary on how to order cannabis products for delivery.

How do I pay for my delivery order?

Cash. Delivery companies do not accept debit or credit cards.

Do I need an ID for cannabis delivery?

Yes

How fast is my cannabis order delivered?

Most cannabis orders are delivered in 1-2 hours depending on your location and the time of your order. Similar to a food delivery service, if you order during the peak demand times, your order could take longer to be delivered, so plan accordingly.

Can I get cannabis products delivered to my hotel?

Short answer: it depends on the hotel. We recommend checking with the hotel to confirm they permit cannabis deliveries to their hotel property.

Can I get cannabis products delivered to my vacation rental?

Yes. Each delivery company has a specific geographic radius they deliver to. See the Delivery section of our Guide to Cannabis in WineCountry for a summary on delivery radius.

PRODUCTS

What types of marijuana products are available in California?

There are two types of cannabis products: CBD and THC. Both CBD and THC are cannabinoids derived from the cannabis plant, but there’s one major difference: THC is psychoactive and CBD is not. What does that mean? See additional questions below for a detailed answer.

What are CBD Cannabis Products?

CBD is a form of cannabis that is NOT psychoactive, so you will not “feel high” when using cannabis with only CBD. CBD-only products are commonly used for pain management, stress relief, and to reduce anxiety.

Examples of CBD-only products include oils, balms, and bath salts. The popularity of spa treatments incorporating CBD-based oils is growing rapidly. Please see the Spas, Experiences, and Tours section for more information in Spas offering CBD treatments.

What’s THC Products?

Cannabis with THC is psychoactive, or a chemical substance that change a person’s mental state by affecting the way the brain and nervous system work. Alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine are all psychoactive products. If the cannabis product you’re considering includes THC on the label, it will likely make you “feel high” depending on the amount you consume.

What’s the difference between CBD and THC Cannabis?

CBD is not psychoactive, so you will not feel high when consuming products.

THC is psychoactive, so you are likely to feel high when consuming products with THC (depending on the amount you consume).

How do I know how much cannabis is in each product?

The amount (milligrams) and type (CBD and/or THC) of cannabis is clearly marked on the label of each product. For example, a specific type of cannabis gummy might have 10 mg (milligrams) of THC.

To better understand how much cannabis is right for you, we recommend asking a Budtender at a Dispensary and they can review the right amount for the type of experience you are looking for.

How much does cannabis cost?

Cannabis products range in price based on the type and amount of cannabis. Plus there are always taxes. Cannabis products carry an additional 35 percent (on average) for state, local, and excise taxes.

Pro tip: Ask a Budtender whether tax is included in the label price or if it is an additional cost.

SPA, EXPERIENCES, TOURS

What is a cannabis spa treatment?

Many spas are incorporating CBD cannabis topical oils into some of their treatments such as massages and facials. The CBD oils are known to help with relieving inflammation and pain while also helping with overall relaxation.

Will a cannabis spa treatment make me feel high?

NO. Spa treatments that include CBD cannabis (CBD is NOT psychoactive), so you will not “feel high.”

What is a cannabis tour?

Cannabis tours are a unique way to learn and experience cannabis in different contexts. Tours offer an insider’s view of how cannabis is produced, why it’s use in health and wellness is growing, and the different ways cannabis can be experienced.

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If you have a question, we have not included above, hit us up at info@winecountry.com and we will respond back as soon as possible.