When it comes to cannabis legislation, California is one of the progressive states in the United States. It was the first state in the U.S. to legalize medical marijuana 20 years ago and just recently voters approved a measure to legalize cannabis for recreational use.
CBD from Hemp Oil in California
Hemp CBD oil is federally legal in the U.S. Individual state laws, however, are dynamic and some states have and will enact their own laws regulating hemp-derived CBD.
Medical Cannabis in California
Ballot Proposition 215 received 56% ‘yes’ votes in November 1996, making California the very first state to legalize medical cannabis. Cannabis for medical purposes is legal for any patients with either a written or oral recommendation from a physician stating that they will benefit from medical cannabis. Medical marijuana cards can be acquired through the California Department of Public Health, but are not required to purchase medical cannabis from a dispensary.
Patients can possess up to 8 ounces of marijuana for any of the following conditions:
- Anorexia
- Arthritis
- Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome
- Cancer
- Chronic Pain
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Migraine
- Persistent Muscle Spasms, including those associated with Multiple Sclerosis
- Seizures, including those associated with Epilepsy
- Severe Nausea
California also allows medical cannabis for any chronic or persistent medical symptoms.
You can find the California Department of Public Health Medical Marijuana Identification Card Program website here.
Recreational Cannabis in California
Voters passed Proposition 64 to legalize recreational cannabis under state law in November 2016. Under Proposition 64, adults aged 21 years and older can legally possess and use up to 28.5 grams (roughly 1 ounce) of cannabis and 8 grams of concentrated cannabis for recreational purposes. Adults are also allowed to cultivate up to six plants. Smoking is permitted in a private home, but remains illegal to use while driving a vehicle or when in public places.
Cultivation of Cannabis in California
Adults 21 and older can cultivate up to 6 plants for recreational purposes, under Proposition 64. California’s medical marijuana law allows qualified patients and their primary caregivers to cultivate 6 mature of 12 immature plants for medicinal reasons.
Resources:
- http://www.canorml.org/medical-marijuana/patients-guide-to-california-law
- http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/trailguide/la-na-election-day-2016-proposition-64-marijuana-1478281845-htmlstory.html
