Last verified November 13, 2026. Facts come from the agency or source linked on this page. Where sources conflict or we could not confirm something, we say so.
- Adult-Use Limits in California
- Medical Cards and Recommendations
- Cannabis Laws Signed in 2026
- Open a Dispensary
- Timeline
- FAQ
- Related Reading
California at a Glance
California Medical Card Checklist
- Decide whether you need the optional county card. A physician's recommendation also supports medical possession.
- Find your county's program page, because counties process applications and keep the records.
- Gather proof of residency in the county if your county requires it.
- Get a physician recommendation for a qualifying serious medical condition.
- Apply, pay your county's fee, and ask whether card holders are exempt from sales tax at purchase.
Adult-Use Limits in California
Adults 21 and older can use cannabis in California. The numbers below come from older California Department of Public Health materials, and the Department of Cannabis Control publishes the current consumer rules, so check them before you rely on a limit.
- Possession: up to 28.5 grams (1 ounce) of cannabis. The health FAQ says 8 grams of concentrate, while a statute summary says 4 grams.
- Home grow: up to six plants at a private residence or its grounds, in a locked space that is not visible to the public. Counties and cities can set stricter rules. San Luis Obispo County, for one, limits home growing to a 100 square foot indoor canopy and bars outdoor growing for personal use.
Medical Cards and Recommendations
California's Medical Marijuana Identification Card is optional. Counties process applications and keep the records, and some require proof of residency in the county. A card holder does not pay sales tax on cannabis purchases but still pays other taxes.
- With a physician's recommendation or a county card, a patient can possess up to 8 ounces of dried cannabis and six mature or 12 immature plants, or more if the recommendation says so.
- The state's older FAQ lists qualifying conditions such as AIDS, anorexia, arthritis, cachexia, cancer, chronic pain, glaucoma and migraine.
- Fees and steps vary by county.
Most of the state health materials we could reach date from 2017. Treat the medical limits as background and confirm them with your county or the Department of Cannabis Control.
Cannabis Laws Signed in 2026
Four 2026 bills are recorded as enacted: AB 2249 (packaging not attractive to under-21s, Aug. 31), AB 2532 (edible and beverage labels, packaging and advertising, Sept. 30), AB 1965 (certificates of analysis and lab quality assurance, Sept. 27) and AB 2250 (cannabis at tobacco sites and the CBN isolate definition, Sept. 27). Other 2026 bills were reported dead or awaiting the governor before the Sept. 30 deadline, and we did not confirm their outcomes.
Opening a Dispensary in California
Annual licenses only Regulator: California Department of Cannabis Control, Retail License Fees
California's Department of Cannabis Control announced that its provisional commercial cannabis licensing program closed on April 6, 2026, so applicants need an annual license from the start. The Department's retail fee table lists a $1,000 application fee at every revenue tier, with annual license fees from $2,500 for revenue up to $500,000 to $96,000 for revenue above $7.5 million. The page does not say which fiscal year it applies to. Local permits are separate and set by each city or county. One planning source estimates $5,000 to $75,000 for local permit renewal for a single retailer, but that is a secondary estimate.
| License | Application Fee | License Fee | Renewal | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retailer | $1,000 | $2,500 to $96,000 annual, by revenue tier | Annual fee by revenue | State fees only. Local permits and fees are separate. |
What to Plan For
- A local permit from your city or county is required, and many jurisdictions ban cannabis retail.
- One third-party source says licensees must keep a $5,000 surety bond. We did not confirm that with the Department.
- The provisional licensing program closed April 6, 2026.
Startup Budget Planner
The sourced state fees are filled in. Enter your own quotes for the rest. We do not estimate build-out or inventory because they vary by site and operator.
- Retailer application fee: $1,000
Flat at every revenue tier per the Department. - Annual retailer license fee by revenue tier: $2,500 to $96,000
Depends on gross revenue. Confirm the fiscal year on the Department's table.
Fees are only part of the cost. Federal law still applies to cannabis businesses, so talk to a cannabis attorney and an accountant before you commit money. Fee figures come from the sources below and change, so confirm them with the regulator. Related reading: CannaWize Business Desk, 280E and Schedule III for Cannabis Businesses, Cannabis Banking Costs and the GAO Report, Licensing Lawsuits and State Markets.
Business sources:
- California Department of Cannabis Control: Retail license fees
- California Department of Cannabis Control: 2026 press releases
How California Compares
| Arizona | Legal | Active | $150 (card term not stated) | Not stated | Fees disputed |
| Arkansas | Not legal | Active | $50 per year | 1 year | Fees not found |
| California | Legal | Optional county card | Varies by county | Varies | $1,000 + $2,500 to $96,000 |
| Colorado | Legal | Active | $52 per year | 1 year | About $3,120 state + local |
| Florida | Not legal | Active | $75 per year | 1 year | No window open (Oct. 2026 guide) |
| Georgia | Not legal | Active | $75 from Dec. 5, 2026 | Not stated | $5,000 + tiered fees |
| Illinois | Legal | Active | $50 per year | 1 to 3 years | $5,000 + $60,000 |
| Louisiana | Not legal | Active | Not found | Up to 12 months | Limited permits |
| Massachusetts | Legal | Active | Free registration | Not stated | $1,500 + $10,000 |
| Michigan | Legal | Active | $40 per two years | 2 years | $3,000 + $15,000 |
| Missouri | Legal | Active | $28.92 renewal per three years | 3 years | Microbusiness lottery, about $1,637 |
| New Jersey | Legal | Active | Free digital, $10 printed | 2 years | Conditional route, $1,000 up front |
| New Mexico | Legal | Active | Not found | Not found | $2,500 per year (reported) |
| New York | Legal | Active | No state fee | Not stated | $1,000 + $7,000 |
| North Carolina | Not legal | None | No program | Not applicable | No state license |
| Ohio | Legal | Active | $50 per year | 1 year | Capped at 400 |
| Oklahoma | Not legal | Active | $100 per two years | 2 years | Moratorium to Aug. 1, 2028 |
| Pennsylvania | Not legal | Active | $50 per year | Up to 1 year | Closed per one 2026 guide |
| Texas | Not legal | Active | See guide | See guide | See guide |
| Virginia | Legal, no stores yet | Active | $50 per year | Up to 1 year | Opens Feb. 1, 2027 (draft) |
California Cannabis Timeline
- The Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act, SB 94, merges the medical and adult-use frameworks.
- The Department of Cannabis Control closes the provisional licensing program.
- AB 2249 on packaging not attractive to under-21s is signed.
- AB 1965 and AB 2250 are signed.
- AB 2532 on edible and beverage labels is signed, on the governor's deadline.
California Cannabis Bills
- Enacted AB 2532: Edible and beverage labels, packaging, advertising. Sept. 30, 2026.
- Enacted AB 1965: Certificates of analysis and lab quality assurance. Sept. 27, 2026.
- Enacted AB 2250: Cannabis at tobacco sites and the CBN isolate definition. Sept. 27, 2026.
- Enacted AB 2249: Packaging not attractive to under-21s. Aug. 31, 2026.
See every state in the cannabis bill tracker.
Frequently Asked Questions About California Cannabis Laws
Is marijuana legal in California?
Yes for adults 21 and older. State health materials list a 28.5 gram (1 ounce) possession limit and six plants for home growing.
How many cannabis plants can I grow in California?
Up to six at a private residence, in a locked space not visible to the public. Counties and cities can set stricter rules.
Do I need a medical card in California?
No. The county Medical Marijuana Identification Card is optional. A card holder does not pay sales tax on cannabis purchases but still pays other taxes.
How much is a California medical marijuana card?
Counties set their own fees and procedures, so check your county's program page.
What does a California retail license cost?
The Department lists a $1,000 application fee and an annual license fee from $2,500 to $96,000 depending on revenue. Local permits cost extra.
Is the provisional licensing program still open?
No. The Department said it closed on April 6, 2026, so new applicants need an annual license.
Related Reading
- Cannabis Laws by State: Compare 20 States
- Medical Marijuana Card Cost by State
- Medical Marijuana Card Renewal Rules by State
- Marijuana Possession Limits by State
- How to Open a Dispensary: License Costs by State
- Cannabis Bills to Watch in 2027
- Cannabis Policy Tracker
- Medical Marijuana Dispensaries by State
Nearby States
Sources
- California Department of Cannabis Control: Consumers
- California Department of Public Health: Cannabis Health Information FAQ (2017)
- California Department of Public Health: Possessing and Buying Medicinal Cannabis
- LawSignals: Cannabis legislation by state
Last verified November 13, 2026. Laws and fees change, and where sources disagree we say so above. Educational only, not medical or legal advice.