No. While marijuana sale is legal under California laws, as of April 2023, Encinitas has no licensed marijuana dispensaries. However, the city does not prohibit the establishment and operation of dispensaries within its borders. The sale of adult-use cannabis began in California after the state passed the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (Proposition 64) in 2016. Proposition 64 legalized adult-use cannabis for persons aged 21 years or older in the state.
Subject to certain regulations, Encinitas Municipal Code, Section 9.25.020, allows cannabis retailers (marijuana dispensaries) in the following commercial and mixed-use land use zones of the city:
Commercial Land Use Zones:
Commercial (ER-C)
Commercial Mixed Use (N-CM-2),(N-CM-3), (N-CM-1)
General Commercial (GC)
General commercial (C-GCl)
Commercial Mixed Use (D-CM-2), (D-CM-1)
General Commercial (C-GC2)
Mixed-Use Land-Use Zones:
ER-MU1
ER-MU2
No medical marijuana dispensary operates in Encinitas presently, even though the city does not prohibit dispensary businesses. The Compassionate Use Act legalized medical cannabis in California in 1996 for patients suffering from certain ailments. Among other things, this Act established a process for licensing medical cannabis dispensaries, granting qualified patients legal access to medicinal marijuana. Although Encinitas has no licensed medical cannabis dispensaries, patients who qualify for medical cannabis treatment are not banned from using marijuana for medical purposes.
Yes, marijuana consumers in Encinitas are permitted under state law to buy marijuana online. However, only eligible persons (adults 21 years and older and qualified cannabis patients) may legally order cannabis from online weed dispensaries licensed by the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC). While there are no dispensaries in the city, anyone who wishes to purchase cannabis online can use the DCC license search to find licensed dispensaries near Encinitas. Marijuana or marijuana products purchased online can be delivered to the buyer's doorsteps in Encinitas.
No marijuana dispensary operates in Encinitas presently, but individuals who need marijuana or cannabis products in the city can visit dispensaries in other California cities. To reduce their shopping costs, consumers may use weed dispensaries in towns/cities near Encinitas. When visiting, eligible cannabis patients must either go with their medical marijuana cards or valid physicians' recommendations. Similarly, recreational consumers must hold valid government-issued identification cards showing they are at least 21 years old. Note that California-licensed weed dispensaries only accept cash payments.
Currently, there are no marijuana dispensaries in Encinitas, but prospective dispensaries in the city must adhere to the following laws:
Licensed marijuana dispensaries may not operate within 600 feet of any school, daycare center, or youth center and must maintain a 1,000-foot separation from the property line of sensitive uses
The sale of alcoholic beverages on the premises of licensed weed dispensaries is illegal. Similarly, marijuana consumption on the premises is prohibited
Licensed dispensaries must not employ anyone under 21 years of age
A licensed dispensary in Encinitas may engage in off-site delivery to customers, but the delivery must be made by authorized employees in approved vehicles
The use of recreational marijuana is legal in Encinitas for individuals who are at least 21 years old. However, they are prohibited from consuming marijuana in public or on federal properties within the city. Similarly, driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of cannabis is not permitted. Recreational marijuana consumers in the city may grow up to six marijuana plants in their residences for personal use. However, according to Section 9.35.090 of the Encinitas Municipal Code, home cultivation of cannabis must conform with local codes and state laws, including building codes, nuisance codes, and electrical codes.
Below are some of the medical marijuana laws in Encinitas:
Patients suffering from certain medical conditions in Encinitas are permitted to use medical cannabis, but they must obtain recommendations from licensed physicians
The consumption of medical marijuana in public is illegal
It is illegal to take medical cannabis products out of Encinitas across state lines to other states, even if marijuana is legal in such states
Per Section 9.25.090 of the Encinitas Municipal Code, qualifying patients can grow cannabis plants at home for personal use on not more than 100 square feet area. The number of plants they may cultivate depends on how many their medical condition requires
The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) issues the California medical marijuana card to eligible cannabis patients in Encinitas. However, applications are by appointment only. Qualified patients can contact the county health and human services agency at (691) 692-5723 to schedule an appointment. Applications must be submitted to the agency on the scheduled date at:
San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency
Office of Vital Records
5560 Overland Avenue, Suite 130
San Diego, CA 92123
An applicant must provide the following at the time of submitting their applications:
Proof of residency in Encinitas
Completed Medical Marijuana Identification Card Application Form
Signed Written Documentation of Patient's Medical Records Form or written documentation from a licensed physician recommending medical cannabis as appropriate for the applicant's medical conditions
Physician's name, California medical license number, and contact information
Applicant's valid photo ID
A non-refundable $44 application fee ($22 for Medi-Cal participants). Acceptable payment methods include money orders, cashier checks, and debit and credit cards (through VitalCheck)
Marijuana users in Encinitas can legally consume cannabis products in their private residences. The consumption of marijuana in public places is illegal.
There are currently no marijuana dispensaries in Encinitas. However, qualified cannabis patients in the city who want to buy marijuana from dispensaries in nearby cities must go with their medical marijuana cards or physician's recommendations. Recreational users must provide valid government-issued IDs.
Currently, no marijuana dispensary sells cannabis or marijuana products in Encinitas. Residents who patronize dispensaries in neighboring cities buy an ounce of marijuana at an average price of $250.
Wedding Cake, Sour Diesel, Runtz, Blue Dream, and GG4 are the most common marijuana strains in Encinitas.
No. California marijuana laws prohibit the consumption of marijuana in public by any means, including smoking. Hence, it is illegal to smoke cannabis in public in Encinitas.
Typically, cannabis patients may possess up to 8 ounces of dried marijuana at once in Encinitas. However, their physicians may recommend higher limits if the patients' health conditions require it. No more than 28.5 grams of dried cannabis flowers and 8 grams of marijuana concentrates may be held at once for recreational purposes.
No, it is a violation of federal law to ship marijuana into Encinitas from another state. However, intra-state delivery of cannabis is allowed in California.
Yes, marijuana users in Encinitas can order cannabis online from any licensed weed dispensary in California and have the products delivered in Encinitas.
No. While there are no weed dispensaries in Encinitas presently, per Section 9.25.020(I) of the City Municipal Code, licensed dispensaries in the city may only open between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. daily.
There are currently no marijuana dispensaries in Encinitas. However, California allows tourists aged 21 and older to purchase recreational marijuana at state-licensed dispensaries.
While no cannabis dispensary operates in Encinitas presently, marijuana consumers must present their IDs when visiting California-licensed dispensaries.
There are no marijuana dispensaries in Encinitas.
Typically, licensed weed dispensaries in California scan customers' IDs. However, none operates in Encinitas at the moment.
There are no cannabis dispensaries in Encinitas.
No California-licensed marijuana dispensary takes credit cards for marijuana purchases.
There are no pot dispensaries in Encinitas at the moment.
No. Although no marijuana dispensary operates in Encinitas, licensed dispensaries in California do not take health insurance as a payment method for medical cannabis purchases.
California marijuana laws require all licensed weed dispensaries in the state to track marijuana purchases using the California Cannabis Track and Trace system. This is the state-approved marijuana seed-to-sale tracking system.
A qualified cannabis patient in Encinitas can enter a licensed medical marijuana dispensary in any California city at age 18, provided they have a medical marijuana card or a physician's recommendation.
To reach the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC), Encinitas' cannabis regulator, use the contact information on the department's website.
The DCC accepts reports of illegal cannabis activities in any part of California, including Encinitas. Criminal marijuana activities in Encinitas can also be reported to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department at (760) 966-3518.