Legal Overview: California's Cannabis Laws
California legalized recreational cannabis via Proposition 64 in November 2016. Adults 21+ can:
- Possess up to 28.5 grams of flower and 8 grams of concentrates
- Purchase from licensed dispensaries with valid government ID
- Grow up to 6 plants per household for personal use
- Consume in private residences and licensed consumption lounges
What's NOT allowed:
Smoking in public places (parks, sidewalks, beaches) — $100 fine
Consuming in vehicles (driver or passenger) — misdemeanor
Carrying across state lines — federal offense even to legal states
Consuming within 1,000 feet of a school while children are present
Open containers in vehicles
Important for tourists: You do NOT need to be a California resident to purchase cannabis. Any adult 21+ with a valid government-issued ID (including passports for international visitors) can walk into a dispensary and buy. The process is straightforward — show ID, browse the menu, and pay (most accept cash and debit cards).
Where to Buy: LA's Best Dispensaries
Los Angeles has hundreds of licensed dispensaries ranging from budget-friendly to luxury boutique experiences:
Premium/Boutique:
MedMen (multiple locations) — the "Apple Store of weed" with sleek design and curated selection. Beverly Hills and Downtown locations are tourist favorites
The Artist Tree (West Hollywood, Beverly Hills) — art gallery meets dispensary, with rotating exhibitions and premium products
Sweet Flower (Studio City, Melrose) — upscale, wellness-focused with incredible customer service
Best Value:
LA Kush (South LA) — massive selection, competitive prices, daily deals
Cookies (Maywood) — Berner's flagship store with exclusive strains
Connected Cannabis (multiple) — known for premium flower at fair prices
Cannabis Consumption Lounges:
The Original Cannabis Café by Lowell (West Hollywood) — America's first legal cannabis restaurant. Full food menu + cannabis menu with dine-in smoking
The Artist Tree Lounge (WeHo) — consumption lounge with art
West Hollywood is the epicenter of consumption lounges — the city issued the most licenses in CA
Delivery: Services like Eaze, Weedmaps, and Dutchie offer same-day delivery across LA County. Most dispensaries also offer their own delivery.
LA's Cannabis Neighborhoods
West Hollywood (WeHo)
The cannabis capital within the capital. WeHo was the first city in California to license consumption lounges. Santa Monica Boulevard and its surroundings have the densest concentration of dispensaries, lounges, and cannabis-friendly businesses.
Venice Beach/Santa Monica
The OG cannabis neighborhood. While the famous Venice boardwalk "doctor's offices" that issued medical cards are gone, the area retains its cannabis-friendly counterculture. Multiple dispensaries along Lincoln Boulevard and Abbot Kinney.
Downtown LA (DTLA)
The Arts District has several upscale dispensaries and the area's warehouses host cannabis industry events. The Social Club is a popular cannabis-friendly members' lounge.
Silver Lake / Echo Park
Hipster-adjacent cannabis culture. Smaller boutique dispensaries and a community that treats cannabis like craft coffee — artisanal, curated, and local.
Studio City / North Hollywood
NoHo Arts District has excellent dispensaries and a more relaxed Valley vibe. Great for avoiding the Westside traffic.
South LA / Compton
Home to several large-format dispensaries with the best prices. The area has been fighting for equity licenses to ensure communities most impacted by the War on Drugs benefit from legalization.
Where You Can Consume
Legal consumption spots:
Licensed consumption lounges (primarily in West Hollywood)
Private residences (your own or with the property owner's permission)
Some cannabis-friendly hotels and Airbnbs (always verify first)
Private events with cannabis consumption permits
Where you CANNOT consume:
Any public place (streets, parks, beaches) — this is the big one tourists miss
Federal property (national parks, federal buildings)
Within 1,000 feet of schools, daycares, or youth centers while minors are present
In vehicles — even as a passenger
Most hotel rooms (unless specifically cannabis-friendly)
The beach question: Despite LA's laid-back reputation, smoking cannabis on the beach is technically illegal and carries a fine. However, enforcement varies dramatically. Santa Monica and Venice police are more lenient than other beach cities. Edibles and discreet vaping attract less attention, but know the legal risk.
Hotels: Most major hotel chains prohibit cannabis. Your best bets:
Book through OFFMAP's verified cannabis-friendly stays
Look for hotels with outdoor balconies/patios
Short-term rentals where the host explicitly allows it
Cannabis-friendly hotels in West Hollywood
Cannabis Delivery: LA's Secret Weapon
LA's cannabis delivery ecosystem is world-class and often the most convenient option for tourists:
Major platforms:
Weedmaps — the Yelp of cannabis. Browse menus, compare prices, order delivery from hundreds of dispensaries. Most deliver within 45-90 minutes
Eaze — streamlined delivery app, curated selection, fast delivery in most LA neighborhoods
Dutchie — powers many dispensary websites' delivery and pickup ordering
How delivery works:
Create an account on the platform
Upload a photo of your valid government ID (one-time verification)
Browse menus and add items to your cart
Choose delivery window — some offer express (30-60 min)
Driver meets you at your location, verifies ID in person, completes the sale
Tips for delivery:
Minimum orders are typically $30-50
Delivery fees range from free to $10
Tip your driver (they're carrying your cannabis across LA traffic)
Cash tips are appreciated as drivers can't always receive digital tips
Have your ID ready — drivers must verify age at every delivery
Pro tip: Many dispensaries offer first-time customer deals (20-30% off) for delivery orders. Check multiple dispensaries on Weedmaps before ordering to find the best new-customer promotions.
Essential Tips for Visitors
At LAX Airport:
Los Angeles International Airport has a unique policy: TSA officers will not confiscate cannabis amounts within California legal limits. The airport follows local law, not federal. However, flying with cannabis to another state — even a legal one — is technically a federal offense. Most people do it without issue, but know the legal risk.
Getting around:
LA is a car city. Never consume and drive (DUI applies to cannabis)
Uber/Lyft: don't consume in rideshares
Metro: no consumption on public transit, but possession is fine
Cannabis delivery is often the best option to avoid driving to dispensaries
Budgeting:
Flower: $25-70 per eighth (3.5g) depending on quality
Pre-rolls: $5-15 each
Vape cartridges: $30-60 per half gram
Edibles: $15-30 per package (100mg total)
Tax: budget an extra 30-40% on top of listed prices (state + local + excise tax). LA has some of the highest cannabis taxes in the country
Payment: Most dispensaries are cash-preferred due to federal banking restrictions. ATMs are available in-store but charge fees ($3-5). Some dispensaries accept debit cards through cashless ATM systems. No credit cards.
Tipping: Budtenders appreciate tips (not required but $2-5 is customary). Delivery drivers should be tipped like any food delivery.
Safety & Common Sense
Start low, go slow: LA cannabis is potent. If you're not a regular consumer, start with:
5mg THC edibles (half a typical gummy)
Low-THC flower (under 20%)
1:1 CBD:THC products for a mellower experience
Edible timing: Edibles take 45-90 minutes to kick in and last 4-8 hours. The #1 tourist mistake is taking more because "it's not working." Wait at least 2 hours before re-dosing.
Fake dispensaries: Unlicensed shops still operate in LA despite enforcement. Always verify a dispensary's license on the California Department of Cannabis Control website (cannabis.ca.gov). Licensed shops display their license number prominently.
Homelessness and personal safety: Some dispensary areas (particularly along Hollywood Boulevard and parts of DTLA) have visible homelessness. Dispensaries themselves are secure — most have security guards and cameras. But be aware of your surroundings when leaving, especially carrying product.
Sun and cannabis: LA sun is intense. Cannabis can amplify dehydration and sun sensitivity. Stay hydrated, use sunscreen, and don't combine heavy consumption with long beach days.
International visitors: Your visa or entry status won't be affected by legally purchasing cannabis in California. However, never mention cannabis use to CBP officers at ports of entry — it can lead to entry denial for non-citizens.
Author
Nyke Perényi
Head of Marketing, Weed.de
Nyke Perényi is Head of Marketing at Weed.de, overseeing strategic positioning and the brand's online and offline marketing. She develops creative campaigns, builds partnerships, and strengthens presence across digital and traditional media. She has been dedicated to cannabis education and destigmatization for years. In her spare time, she's active on Instagram and YouTube and is the creator of the cannabis card game Green Deal.
Published January 18, 2025 · 10 min read
