cannabis For Personal Use
PERSONAL: MEDICAL USE
In 1996, the State of California became the first state in the nation to legalize medical cannabis when voters passed Prop 215 or The Compassionate Use Act. That distinction is now shared with 31 other states. Under the Compassionate Use Act, qualified patients and their caregivers are allowed to cultivate cannabis for personal use, subject to local laws.
PERSONAL: NON-MEDICAL (RECREATIONAL) USE
On November 8, 2016, California voters passed Prop 64 or the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA) , allowing adults 21 years or older to legally grow , possess and use cannabis a for non-medical purposes. California is currently one of only seven states where recreational cannabis is legal. Under Prop. 64, residents can grow up to 6 plants in their household, subject to the approval and/or conditions set by their local jurisdiction.
The City of Sacramento allows residential cultivation of up to six plants, indoors only - whether for medical or recreational purpose, subject to conditions set under Chapter 8.132.040 of the Sacramento City Code. Violations of the 6-plant rule is subject to a fine of $500/plant in excess of the limit .
Below are answers to some of the common questions surrounding Prop 64:
-
You have to be 21 or older to legally use non-medical marijuana. Minors who violate the law will be required to complete 4 hours of drug-education program or counseling, and up to 10 hours of community service.
-
You cannot smoke in public. Smoking cannabis in public carries a fine of up to $100, and up to $250 where tobacco smoking is prohibited, or within 1,000 feet of a school, daycare center or youth center where children are present.
-
The amount you can possess on your person is limited to 28.5 grams or 1 ounce. Note that possession and smoking and other forms of ingestion may be prohibited altogether in certain government-owned facilities.
-
You are allowed to grow up to 6 cannabis plants for personal use, subject to conditions specified under the City of Sacramento’s Health and Safety Code, Title 8, pertaining to the cultivation of cannabis.
-
Edible cannabis products can only contain 10 milligrams of THC (the psychoactive agent ingredient of marijuana), and needs to be contained in a childproof packaging and properly labeled.
-
Driving and smoking or consuming cannabis is considered driving impaired and subject to penalties under California’s DUI laws. Specific protocols for determining if a driver is impaired by cannabis are still being considered in the California Legislature.
-
You cannot take cannabis across state lines. Federal regulations specifies, even in the states with legal cannabis , that products have to be grown and consumed in that state only.
Resources