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January 1st: Weed is Legal!

Oakland, Berkeley & SJ celebrate the first legal day of cannabis sales. SF is coming soon…
By - posted 1/1/2018 No Comment

Celebrate the first legal day of cannabis sales in California on New Year’s Day, Monday, January 1, 2018.

Want to buy marijuana?

As long you’re over 21 and the dispensary has a temporary license from the state, you’re good to go. Make sure to check that the dispensary has been issued a valid license before heading out and be sure to bring along a valid ID. Adult-use customers are limited to 28.5 grams of non-concentrated cannabis and no more than 8 grams of concentrated cannabis.

Retailers can only sell or deliver cannabis between 6 am and 10 pm, but please note that opening and closing times may vary by local city ordinances. Oakland, for instance, allows 6 am openings while in San Jose 9 am is the earliest opening time.

Find a local licensed adult-use retail store, thanks to Leafly, who will continue to update their list as the BCC rolls out more pre-qualified licensees, right up through January 1.

Bay Area Cities and Their Laws

Thanks to Leafly for their research on city ordinances:

Here’s a list of the largest Bay Area cities and their ordinances.

  • San Francisco: Allowing retail cannabis stores, but they won’t be licensed by Jan. 1. Look for the first openings by Jan 5th.
  • San Jose: Retail stores are expected to be open on Jan. 1.
  • Oakland: Retail stores are expected to be open on Jan. 1.
  • Berkeley: Retail stores are expected to be open on Jan. 1.

Greater Bay Area:

  • Santa Cruz: Many retail stores are expected to be open on Jan. 1.
  • Sacramento: Retail stores are expected to be open on Jan. 1. Joe Devlin, the city’s head of cannabis regulation, said he expects a few existing medical cannabis dispensaries to be open for adult-use sales on New Year’s Day.
  • Stockton: The city has approved four medical cannabis dispensaries within the city but is not yet allowing retail adult-use stores. City officials will study the issue and tailor ordinances and regulations in later 2018.

Local Celebrations – January 1st

Some local dispensaries are celebrating the historic occasion.

  • Flower to the People at Harborside Oakland, will be offering free gifts and prizes for the 1st 100 in line for their opening at 6 am.
  • Flower to the People at Harborside San Jose, will be offering prizes and festivities at 9 am.
  • Buddy’s Cannabis in San Jose will be having deals throughout the store, starting at 9 am.
  • FWEEDOM at Caliva in San Jose will be offering the 1st 100 customers in line a mystery prize box worth up to $500. Line begins at 8 am. Doors open at 9 am.