Being a college student in California can be fun and exciting. There is much to see and do in the Golden State, and the tolerant, care-free, live-and-let-live outlook of most Californians makes it a great place to experiment with new forms of recreation.
It is legal to purchase and smoke weed in California. If you have always wanted to try marijuana, you may get your chance while you are a student. Most colleges and universities in California continue to have bans on weed—meaning that you cannot purchase or smoke it on campus. You should review the rules of your college before you do anything on campus.
Marijuana has been legal in California for over a decade. The marijuana industry is one of the largest and most mature in the country. That is why California weed is in such high-demand. It tends to be some of the best that there is on the market. However, you must be 21 or over to buy weed. In fact, you must prove your age with some kind of government identification. A passport or a driver’s license (even if it is out of state) will do.
Where to Legally Buy Weed
If you want to buy weed for recreational use, then you must find a dispensary that is approved for recreational sale. Dispensaries that are approved only for medical marijuana will not be able to serve you unless you are a patient, and you have a valid document that proves your physician recommends it.
California law requires weed dispensaries to close between 10pm and 6am, so you should not delay if you plan to buy products for the day. It is also important to be sure that the vendor you are buying from is licensed by the California Bureau of Cannabis Control. A quick click on their website will tell you if the shop you are walking into is legal.
Not All Weed Laws Are the Same in the State
Although weed is legal in California, rules and regulations differ throughout it. Individual cities are allowed to make their own decisions about cannabis. Santa Ana is the only place in Orange County in which both medical and recreational dispensaries are allowed. In Los Angeles, you will find both types of dispensaries, and homegrown weed is allowed.
What You Will Find at the Dispensary
Most weed dispensaries carry pre-rolled joints, edible candy and brownies, vapes, and weed-infused drinks. All such products should be properly labelled. You should pay particular attention to THC levels. This will indicate the potency of the weed.
You will not be able to purchase marijuana with a credit card, so you should bring cash. Most dispensaries have an ATM in case you need more.
Expect to pay a pretty penny for your weed. The legalization of weed has been accompanied by high taxes—15%. The government has also burdened weed dispensaries with a range of rules and regulations that add additional costs to vendors—costs that are then passed on to you, the consumer. Weed products can be marked up to 60% in many places. You should be prepared for this rather insidious form of sticker shock.
First-Timers
If you are new to the experience of smoking pot, it is better to be safe and cautious. Do not try to take in too much at once. Enjoy the experience and proceed with reserve.
A pre-rolled joint is a nice way to begin because it is likely to have just enough weed to give you a good buzz. Vaping is also good. And you cannot go wrong with edibles, which have very small amounts of weed in them. You can find mints and candies that have as little as 2.5 mgs of THC in each piece. In any case, you should not exceed 10 mgs in a single dose. If you take in this much weed, wait two hours before taking more.
The law stipulates that you can possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana or 8 grams of concentrated cannabis at a time.
Is CBD an Option?
The short answer is yes. CBD is a naturally occurring compound in cannabis that is non-intoxicating. CBD is not good for recreational purposes, but it does have anti-inflammatory properties, and it can be used for certain kinds of pain management.
Using Weed
It is much easier to buy marijuana than to smoke it. You cannot smoke any kind of weed product in public. In California, smoking is banned in bars, restaurants, and hotels. If you live in campus accommodation, you will not be able to smoke weed in your dorm.
You can smoke weed in a private accommodation. So, if you live off campus or have friends who do, then you should not have a problem.
It is also legal in California to have weed delivered. Most vendors dispatch such packages with discrete wrappings so that you can keep your personal life private. You cannot, however, take weed on an airplane or other transport. Doing so is a federal crime, which can lead to your arrest and prosecution.
