Marijuana Dispensaries in San Francisco

Are there Marijuana Dispensaries in San Francisco?

Yes. Following the passage of Proposition 64 in 2016, marijuana became legal in San Francisco and the rest of California. The state marijuana laws are now contained under the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA), passed in 2017. Although California permits municipalities to prohibit certain marijuana establishments from operating within their borders, San Francisco permits both medical and recreational marijuana to operate within its jurisdiction.

Are there Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in San Francisco?

Yes. Under Proposition 215, medical marijuana became legal in San Francisco. Proposition 215 permitted the establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries in jurisdictions with no ordinances restricting their establishment.

Can You Buy Cannabis from Online Weed Dispensaries in San Francisco?

Yes. You can buy cannabis from online weed dispensaries in San Francisco. The city does not prohibit the delivery of cannabis to local addresses as long as the identity of the buyer is verified as the same as the individual taking receipt of the products.

Visiting a Dispensary in San Francisco

You do not have to be a marijuana enthusiast in order to visit a weed dispensary in San Francisco. Once you have been confirmed to be of legal age, you can enter the selling area to learn about cannabis. Dispensaries typically employ budtenders to provide comprehensive information on each strain sold at the dispensary. There are often varieties of Indica, Sativa, and hybrid strains in a dispensary. Additionally, dispensaries sell cannabis in many forms, including hash, concentrates, kief, edibles (cookies and chocolates), and THC capsules. Additionally, dispensaries offer cannabis seeds to those interested in cannabis cultivation.

San Francisco Dispensary Laws

San Francisco permits medical cannabis dispensaries to operate inside the county, so long as they hold a valid medical cannabis dispensary permit according to Article 33 of the Health Code.

The medical cannabis retailer permit issued in San Francisco allows the holder to sell only medicinal cannabis and medicinal cannabis products. The city also issues permits for cannabis retailers. A holder of this license may engage in the retail selling of cannabis and cannabis products for recreational and medical purposes. Despite obtaining a retail sale permit in San Francisco, an establishment looking to operate a cannabis dispensary must get a state license authorizing retail cannabis sales. Retailers of cannabis may get either a storefront retailer permit or a delivery-only retailer license.

Also, weed dispensaries must be located in the approved zoning districts and at least 600 feet away from residential uses, daycare centers, youth centers, and schools.

Recreational Laws in San Francisco

Cannabis was legalized in California when voters approved the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA) on November 8, 2016. The AUMA legalized the possession, use, and cultivation of non-medical cannabis for adults over the age of 21 and created a state regulatory structure for commercial cannabis activities. On June 27, 2017, Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 94 (the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA)) into law, incorporating specific licensing provisions, and established a single regulatory scheme for both medical and recreational cannabis.

Under MAUCRSA, persons aged 21 or older can possess and use non-medical cannabis. Such persons can also give away or obtain up to 28.5 grams of non-concentrated cannabis or 8 grams of concentrated non-medical cannabis, provided no exchange of money or item of value is involved. Persons over the age of 21 may cultivate up to six (6) marijuana plants on their own property, including in a greenhouse or other building that is not visible from a public location. A residence includes mobile homes, single-family homes, and multi-family apartment units.

Upon obtaining the relevant licenses and permits from the city and the state, the following cannabis operations may be conducted in San Francisco:

• Indoor personal cultivation in residential zoning districts

• Indoor commercial cultivation

• Manufacturing

• Distribution

• Delivery-only businesses

• Testing

Note that under San Francisco recreational marijuana laws, employers in San Francisco can still require drug tests for employees and take action against employees for using cannabis.

Medical Cannabis Laws in San Francisco

The Compassionate Use Act, also known as Proposition 215, was passed in 1996. The Act legalized the sale, use, and possession of medical cannabis in California for patients whose medical conditions may be treated or alleviated by cannabis. The conditions that qualify you for a medical marijuana evaluation include AIDS, cancer, glaucoma, epilepsy, chronic pain, insomnia, migraines, and anxiety, in addition to a number of "open" conditions that MMJ can help alleviate.

In San Francisco, patients must be at least 18 years old to be eligible to purchase medical cannabis. Otherwise, an adult may be assigned a designated caregiver to help administer medical cannabis. To legally obtain medical cannabis in San Francisco, you must obtain a physician's recommendation attesting that medical cannabis would be beneficial in treating your medical condition. Under California medical marijuana law, which San Francisco abides with, patients with valid medical marijuana identification cards are permitted to possess up to 6 mature plants, 12 immature plants, and 226.8 grams of cannabis concentrates or dried cannabis. Driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of medical cannabis is illegal.

How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in San Francisco

In order to be eligible to obtain a medical marijuana card in San Francisco, you must:

• Be aged 18 or older

• Reside in San Francisco

• Have your primary care physician certify that you suffer from one of the qualifying medical conditions and recommend the use of marijuana in managing the condition

If you are eligible to obtain a medical marijuana card, follow these steps:

• Download and complete the application form

• Gather supporting application documents such as your medical cannabis recommendation, proof of identity (driver's license or another government-issued identification), and proof of residency containing your name and current address. The medical cannabis recommendation completed by your primary care physician may be completed on the letterhead of the physician’s business or a CDPH 9044 form (preferred)

• Schedule an appointment with the county health department. Note that applications can only be submitted in person. The address of the San Francisco County Health Department is:

Department of Public Health

101 Grove Street, Room 105

San Francisco, CA 94102

Phone: (628) 206-5555

• Go to your appointment with the application fee of $100. At the appointment, your photo will be taken. If you receive healthcare through Medi-Cal, you will have 50% of the application fee waived

• Wait 30 days for the county health department to issue the medical marijuana identification card. Usually, the card will arrive within 10 business days

If the county health department denies your application, you can file an appeal with the California Department of Public Health at no fee.

Where Is It Legal to Consume Cannabis in San Francisco?

You can consume cannabis in private homes if the property owners or landlords permit it. It is also legal to consume cannabis in the consumption lounge of a weed dispensary that has such a facility. However, you cannot consume cannabis:

• In public places, such as parks and sidewalks

• Near schools or locations with children

• Inside workplaces, restaurants, entertainment venues, restaurants, bars, and the common areas of multi-unit housing

• At outdoor public events such as parades, street fairs, and music festivals

• On federally owned lands in the city, such as national parks, federal buildings, and military installations

How to Buy Cannabis at a San Francisco Dispensary

You can buy medical cannabis or recreational cannabis at a San Francisco dispensary by visiting the dispensary's location with a valid medical marijuana card or an acceptable identification containing your date of birth. Note that adult-use cannabis is only available to persons aged 21 and older. You should also take cash or prepare to use the ATM facilities at many of the weed dispensaries in the city.

The Average Price of Cannabis in San Francisco

The average price for a high-quality medical cannabis strain is $34 per gram in San Francisco. The average prices for medium and low-quality medical cannabis strains are $11 and $20 per gram, respectively. For recreational cannabis, a high-quality strain costs about $24.5 per gram, while a medium-quality strain costs about $5 per gram. In the city, 1/8 ounce of a high-quality medical marijuana strain costs $52.5, while 1/8 ounce of a high-quality recreational marijuana strain costs $35.

Most Popular Strains in San Francisco

The top marijuana strains in San Francisco are:

• Gelonade

• Do-Si-Dos

• Sour Apple Haze

• Siberian Tiger

• Wedding Cake

• Kosher Skunk

• Ingrid

• Alien OG

• Reckless Rainbow

• Mendo Breath

Can You Smoke in Public in San Francisco?

You cannot smoke cannabis in most public locations under California law. This includes sidewalks and parks, areas near schools or childcare facilities, the majority of buildings, and public activities held outside. This applies even to cannabis vaping. Generally, cannabis use is prohibited anywhere tobacco use is not permitted.

How Much Marijuana Can You Possess at Once in San Francisco?

The MAUCRSA permits the purchase and possession of up to 28 grams of cannabis and 8 grams of cannabis-infused products per day for recreational use. Additionally, residents may cultivate up to six plants per household in the city. In San Francisco, medicinal marijuana users may buy and possess up to 8 ounces of cannabis every day. Patients with medical cannabis cards may also grow up to 12 immature plants and 6 mature plants at home.

Can I Ship Cannabis To San Francisco?

Only persons transiting from one California location to San Francisco may ship cannabis into the city. You cannot ship cannabis from another state into San Francisco since it is illegal to transport cannabis across state lines.

Can I Order Cannabis Online in San Francisco?

Yes, you can order cannabis online from weed dispensaries in San Francisco. Some marijuana dispensaries offer free deliveries when you purchase above certain limits.

Are there 24-hour Dispensaries in San Francisco?

Yes. Marijuana dispensaries in San Francisco have no required operation hours. Although many of these dispensaries open around mid-morning, others operate all day long. To find 24-hour dispensaries in San Francisco, you can put the phrase "24-hour weed dispensaries near me" in an online search tool to find nearby marijuana dispensaries.

Can Tourists Use Dispensaries in San Francisco?

Yes. Tourists in San Francisco only need to find a dispensary approved by the California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) and show proof that they are 21 or older. You can find a list of authorized retailers through the DCC Retailers Near Me page.

Do You Need ID for Dispensary in San Francisco?

To purchase adult-use marijuana from a licensed recreational marijuana dispensary in San Francisco, you must show a State of California-issued identification or a federal ID. Hence, a California-issued driver's license or federal ID will suffice. If you are visiting a medical marijuana dispensary, you will require a state-issued medical marijuana card before you may be permitted to purchase medical cannabis.

Best Dispensaries in San Francisco

The best marijuana dispensaries in San Francisco are:

• Apothecarium

• Moe Greens

• Posh Green Cannabis Boutique

• Sparc

• Berner's on Haight

• MediThrive

Do Dispensaries Scan your ID in San Francisco?

San Francisco weed dispensaries require buyers to present valid IDs as proof of legal age. In the process, some dispensaries may scan the IDs.

How Many Dispensaries are in San Francisco?

There are over 80 cannabis dispensaries in San Francisco. For more information about the location and status of these facilities, visit the proposed cannabis retail locations page of the San Francisco Office of Cannabis website.

Can Dispensaries in San Francisco Take Credit Cards?

San Francisco marijuana dispensaries do not usually accept credit cards for marijuana purchases. They typically accept cash and permit consumers to use ATMs on their premises to withdraw cash for marijuana purchases.

How Many Dispensaries Can You Visit in One Day?

You can visit multiple dispensaries in one day in San Francisco. However, your total purchase cannot exceed the stipulated limit under MAUCRSA.

Do Dispensaries in San Francisco Take Health Insurance?

With most health insurance programs subject to federal law, health insurance does not cover marijuana as cannabis remains a Schedule I Substance under the federal Controlled Substance Act. Therefore, San Francisco cannabis dispensaries do not take health insurance.

Do Dispensaries in San Francisco Track How Much Weed You Buy?

All cannabis retailers in San Francisco must utilize the California Cannabis Trace and Trace (CCTT) system to track cannabis and cannabis products along the supply chain. The state monitors sales information using the Metrc program.

Can You Enter a Dispensary in San Francisco at Age 18?

You cannot enter a recreational weed dispensary in San Francisco unless you are 21 or older. If you want to visit a medical cannabis dispensary in the city, you must be 18 or older.

Can Dispensaries in San Francisco Take Credit Cards?

Typically, San Francisco dispensaries only accept cash for marijuana purchases made in their facilities. However, many of these cannabis dispensaries have ATMs that allow buyers to withdraw cash for purchases.

Where Can I Find the San Francisco Cannabis Regulator’s Contact Information?

The San Francisco Office of Cannabis is the regulatory agency for cannabis in the city. The agency's contact information can be found on its website. The agency is located at:

49 South Van Ness Suite 660

San Francisco, CA 94103

Phone: (628) 652-0420

E-mail: officeofcannabis@sfgov.org

How Do I Report Illegal Cannabis Activities in San Francisco?

You can report illegal cannabis activities in San Francisco by filing a complaint to the San Francisco Office of Cannabis. The office of Cannabis recommends that complainants keep any correspondence, receipts, or evidence of the illegal activity to be reported as such may aid any potential investigation.