Cannabis Rules & Regulations by City
Below is an extensive breakdown of the cannabis rules and regulations for all the cities in Los Angeles County.
Alhambra
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary or Delivery?
No. Alhambra prohibits both medical and recreational deliveries and dispensaries by a temporary moratorium. The moratorium will be addressed with a permanent ordinance by the end of the year. You can read the moratorium ban here, starting at page 63.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
Only six plants may be grown inside a fully enclosed residence structure. The instructions can be found here on page 67.
City Contacts
City Hall
111 S 1st St.
Alhambra, CA 91801
(626) 570-5000
Arcadia
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary or Delivery?
No. Both all cannabis dispensaries and delivery services are prohibited.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
Arcadia bans cannabis cultivation to the extent of the law, including outdoor, and requires a permit to grow the set six plants. Examine additional cultivation information here.
City Contacts
City Hall
240 W Huntington Dr.
Arcadia, CA 91007
(626) 574-5400
Azusa
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary or Delivery?
No, both are prohibited for both medical and recreational purposes.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
Azusa requires you apply for a permit with the Economic and Community Development Department in order to cultivate your legal cannabis on your private property. A Live Scan will be required with the application. The city can reject the application if you have a felony drug conviction or any pending code enforcement issues, past fees or liens. Those who want to grow can read the restrictions here.
City Contacts
City Hall
213 E Foothill Blvd.
Azusa, CA 91702
(626) 812-5200
Bellflower
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary?
Bellflower specifies rules for adult-use dispensaries, but the current uses granted by the Council seem to be for medical dispensaries only. It’s best to hang on to your medical cannabis card.
Can I Get Delivery?
Yes, but Bellflower only allows deliveries from licensed storefront dispensaries.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
Outside cultivation is forbidden; other than that, the city doesn’t have any additional restrictions beyond state law.
Taxes
Bellflower taxes all cannabis sales at 5% of gross receipts.
City Contacts
City Hall
16600 Civic Center Dr.
Bellflower, CA 90706
(562) 804-1424
Burbank
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary?
No. Dispensaries are expressly prohibited.
Can I Get Delivery?
There’s no commercial delivery allowed in Burbank. Primary caregivers can deliver cannabis to their patients in the city, but only if they’re exempt from commercial licensing and have no more than five patients.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
For medical use, only six mature or 12 immature plants are permissible. Outdoor cultivation is not specifically prohibited. You can read the regulations here.
City Contacts
City Hall
275 E Olive Ave.
Burbank, CA 91502
(818) 238-5564
Carson
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary?
Carson allows commercial cannabis activity, but doesn’t allow commercial dispensaries or non-profit medical dispensaries.
Can I Get Delivery?
Yes. Luckily, Carson allows deliveries of adult-use and medical cannabis, so long as the delivery business is fully licensed with the local and state government.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
Carson requires a personal cultivation permit before a resident can grow the six plants allowed on their property. The cultivation site must be inspected before the permit is issued, and reinspected every two years when seeking renewal. You can find the rest of the considerable list of restrictions here.
City Contacts
City Hall
701 E Carson St.
Carson, CA 90745
(310) 830-7600
Cerritos
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary or Delivery?
No. Both dispensaries and deliveries of medical and recreational cannabis are outlawed.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
Outdoor cultivation is prohibited, and indoor cultivation requires a permit with many restrictions and city inspection rights. A fee’s also required for personal cultivation of medical or the state-allowed six plants. If you want to grow despite the city’s restrictions, find them here.
City Contacts
City Hall
18125 Bloomfield Ave.
Cerritos, CA 90703
(562) 860-0311
Compton
Residents of Compton had two measures on the ballot that would’ve allowed a tax on commercial cannabis activities and dispensaries. Voters rejected them with a resounding no, as both lost with 75% and 76% “no” votes respectively.
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary or Delivery?
Sadly, no. Both are prohibited under a extended moratorium.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
“Cultivation of cannabis for commercial or non-commercial purposes, including cultivation by a qualified patient or a primary caregiver, is expressly prohibited in all zones and all specific plan areas in the City of Compton. No person, including a qualified patient or primary caregiver, shall cultivate any amount of cannabis in the City, even for medical purposes. Due to the passage of Proposition 64, this prohibition will not apply to the cultivation of up to six (6) live marijuana plants within a single private residence, or inside an accessory structure to a private residence located upon the grounds of private residence that is fully enclosed and secure, as this activity is specifically authorized by Health and Safety Code section 11362.2.”
City Contacts
205 S Willowbrook Ave.
Compton, CA 90220
(310) 537-8000
Covina
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary or Delivery?
No. Both dispensaries and deliveries are banned for both medical and adult-use purposes.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
Personal cultivation is regulated to the point that it’d be nearly impossible. Adults 21 and older may cultivate six plants or less indoors if they first register with the police and pay a fee. Lighting is limited to 600 watts. On the bright side, Covina has one of the most reasonable fees for the unreasonable registration requirement–a mere $25. Read the cultivation restrictions here.
City Contacts
City Hall
125 E College St.
Covina, CA 91723
(626) 384-5400
Diamond Bar
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary or Delivery?
Both medical and adult-use dispensaries and delivery services are outlawed.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
Outdoor cultivation is prohibited. Other than that, you’ll refer back to state law for specific indoor cultivation regulations.
City Contacts
City Hall
21810 Copley Dr.
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
(909) 839-7000
Downey
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary or Get Delivery?
No. Both storefront dispensaries and deliveries are strictly prohibited by the city’s code.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
All cultivation must be indoors and limited to six plants. Duplexes and single family homes are allowed to grow in a fully enclosed accessory unit, though not inside accessory dwelling units or garages. Total lighting is limited to 1200 watts and the cultivation area is restricted to 50 square feet. You can read the rest of the restrictions here.
Oddly, Downey requires the cultivator or personal caregiver to be 21 or older. There’s no explanation why those 18 to 21 with a MMID can’t grow their own; but the city’s very clear in Section 9428.10 that it doesn’t allow medical cannabis cultivation for or by qualified patients under 21.
City Contacts
City Hall
11111 Brookshire Ave.
Downey, CA 90241
(562) 869-7331
El Monte
El Monte allows commercial medicinal cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, and laboratory testing. Yet the city does not allow commercial medical or adult-use dispensaries or deliveries.
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary or Delivery?
No.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
Cultivation is restricted to indoor only, and a permit must first be obtained from the city. El Monte reserves the right to inspect the cultivation spot once every six months with 72 hours notice. Read the additional restrictions here.
City Contacts
City Hall
11333 Valley Blvd.
El Monte, CA 91731
(626) 580-2001
Gardena
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary Or Delivery?
Sadly, both are banned.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
Outdoor cultivation is prohibited, while indoor cultivation requires a permit. Review the restrictions here. When asked, the city’s community development department didn’t know the cost of the personal cultivation permit or what the permitting process would be.
City Contacts
City Hall
1700 W 162nd St.
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 217-9500
Glendale
The city of Glendale bans everything.
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary or Delivery?
No. Their municipal code explicitly bans both.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
Glendale quotes state law verbatim for personal cultivation rules. Therefore, growing outdoors in a fully enclosed area is okay; but the greenhouse must be fully enclosed. It doesn’t address medical cultivation in their code–except to ban everything the city isn’t forbidden from banning by state or federal law.
City Contacts
City Hall
613 E. Broadway
Glendale, CA 91206
(818) 548-4844
Community Development
(818) 548-2140
Glendora
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary or Delivery?
Sorry, medicinal and adult-use dispensaries and deliveries are flatly prohibited with no exceptions for qualified medical patients.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
Glendora prohibits outdoor cultivation and requires a permit to grow the six allowed plants indoors. The permit application necessitates a fee and has some very difficult requirements. It is, for all intents and purposes, a de facto ban despite the state law requirements.
City Contacts
City Hall
116 E Foothill Blvd.
Glendora, CA 91741
(626) 914-8200
Hawthorne
Hawthorne plans to finalize personal cultivation and commercial cannabis rules by July 2018. For now, adult-use cannabis stays prohibited.
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary?
No, the city doesn’t allow any.
Can I Get Delivery?
No. However, Hawthorne has a very unusual exception to their delivery ban:
“It is hereby declared unlawful and a public nuisance for any person to engage in the delivery and or distribution of medical marijuana except to a person who can provide written proof that they have been deemed non-ambulatory by a licensed physician. Delivery personnel must carry and be able to demonstrate upon request that they are licensed by state law, possess legal ability to deliver medical marijuana from a state licensed medical marijuana facility, and possess a copy of delivery request matching the address of the non-ambulatory patient (bill of sale). Delivery personnel are required to obtain a business license prior to operation and the business license must be carried and available for review upon request by city personnel. (Ord. 2148 § 5, 2017.)”
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
Cultivation is limited to six plants indoors in a space no bigger than 50 square feet. There are additional restrictions like plant height and ceiling distance you can read here.
City Contacts
City Hall
4455 W 126th St.
Hawthorne, CA 90250
(310) 349-2900
Huntington Park
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary or Delivery?
Yes, Huntington Park already has licensed adult-use dispensaries. It also allows delivery.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
The municipal code doesn’t seem to have specific regulations for personal cultivation. Contact the city before you start so you’re compliant with state law.
City Contacts
City Hall
6550 Miles Ave.
Huntington Park, CA 90255
(323) 582-6161
Inglewood
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary or Get Delivery?
No. Commercial sales are banned, along with “outpatient sale, dispensing, or distribution of medical cannabis or cannabis product to a qualified patient is prohibited.” The city does allow cannabis distribution for in-patient care with a special use permit.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
Cultivation is required to be indoor and limited to six plants per residence whether for recreational or medical purposes. Other than that, there are no lighting or other restrictions. You can read the regulations here.
City Contacts
City Hall
1 West Manchester Blvd.
Inglewood, CA 90301
(310) 412-5111
La Mirada
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary or Delivery?
No. Both are banned for both adult-use and medical purposes.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
La Mirada doesn’t acknowledge the legitimacy of medical cultivation. But because the city’s prohibited from completely banning cultivation it’s restricted to indoor only, and cultivators must be 21 and over. Only six plants or less are allowed.
City Contacts
City Hall
13700 La Mirada Blvd.
La Mirada, CA 90638
(562) 943-0131
Lakewood
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary?
No. The city prohibits all cannabis activity.
Can I Get Delivery?
No. All marijuana delivery is specifically prohibited in the municipal code.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
Lakewood prohibits cultivation, except where blocked by state law, so refer to the state’s standard provisions before growing and check with the city to see if the ordinance has changed beforehand.
City Contacts
City Hall
5050 Clark Ave.
Lakewood, CA 90712
(562) 866-9771
Lancaster
The city of Lancaster bans all commercial cannabis activity, except five medical cannabis cultivation facilities.
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary?
No. Both medical and recreational dispensaries are banned.
Can I Get Delivery?
No. Lancaster explicitly prohibits all types of delivery services.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
The latest updates don’t show any strict regulations for medical cannabis, but they literally ban everything allowed by law. They also ban outdoor cultivation, so expect to grow your six allowed plants indoors only.
City Contacts
Lancaster City Hall
44933 N. Fern Ave.
Lancaster CA 93534
(661) 723-6000
Long Beach
Currently Long Beach only allows commercial medical marijuana, not adult-use. It offers limited medical dispensary and delivery licenses, and unlimited licenses for all other medical marijuana businesses. This includes manufacturing, cultivation, laboratories and distribution. The city made a fact sheet to help local residents understand their licensing process and new laws.
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary?
The city must allow no less than 27 dispensaries and no more than 35, so you’ll have plenty of dispensaries to choose from.
Can I Get Delivery?
Yes, medical deliveries are allowed.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
Adults 21 and over can grow up to six plants per person inside their residence. They can grow up to 12 plants if two people live there, but no more no matter how many adults live there. The city also has very strict rules to ensure that the plants are kept in a locked, enclosed area away from anyone under 21.
Taxes
All sales will be subject to a 15% excise tax and the 6% local tax. Since all sales are medical, there will be no state sales tax applied, so the total will be 21%. All medical cannabis products that are manufactured, cultivated, transported or distributed in the city are subject to an additional 6% local tax based on gross receipts.
City Contacts
Medical Marijuana Information Hotline
(562) 570-5150
marijuanalicense@longbeach.gov
City of Los Angeles
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary?
Yes, both adult-use and medical.
Can I Get Delivery?
You can now. The new ordinances allow for both medical and adult-use delivery once the proper state licenses are obtained.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
The Office of Cannabis Regulation has been contacted in an attempt to obtain the regulations for personal recreational and medical cultivation. They didn’t have an immediate answer, so it’s best to call or email their office and observe all state rules.
Taxes
Adult-use cannabis sales are taxed at 10% and medical cannabis sales are taxed at 5%. This puts total adult-use taxes at 34.5% (15% excise, 10% local selling, and 9.5% state sales). Medical taxes will total 20% (15% excise and 5% local selling tax).
City Contacts
Department of Cannabis Regulation
221 N. Figueroa, Suite 1245
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 978-0738
cannabis@lacity.org
Montebello
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary or Delivery?
All dispensaries and delivery services are prohibited.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
Outdoor cultivation is forbidden, while indoor requires a city-issued permit for the six allowed plants. The permit costs $249 for every two years. Montebello also demands the right to enter the home and inspect the grow at any time with five days written notice. Refusal to comply will result in the permit’s revocation. If you wish to comply with these regulations, read the other personal cultivation restrictions here.
City Contacts
City Hall
1600 W Beverly Blvd.
Montebello, CA 90640
(323) 887-1200
Monterey Park
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary or Delivery?
Unfortunately not. Both are restricted.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
The city doesn’t appear to have passed any additional regulations beyond banning medical cultivation. Check with the city before they start growing.
City Contacts
City Hall
320 W Newmark Ave.
Monterey Park, CA 91754
(626) 307-1458
Norwalk
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary or Delivery?
No. Dispensaries and delivery services are banned.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
Outdoor non-commercial and commercial medical cultivation is banned. Norwalk only allows residents to grow six plants indoors. Examine the ordinance here.
City Contacts
City Hall
12700 Norwalk Blvd.
Norwalk, CA 90650
(562) 929-5700
Palmdale
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary or Delivery?
No way. Palmdale explicitly bans every type of cannabis service.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
Palmdale still doesn’t have an ordinance addressing personal cultivation (confirmed with phone call to city attorney). This could change at any time, so be sure to check with the city if you have any questions.
City Contacts
City of Palmdale
38300 Sierra Highway
Palmdale, CA 93550
(661) 267-5100
Paramount
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary or Delivery?
Sorry, all are prohibited.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
Six plants inside a private residence or greenhouse, as long as the area doesn’t exceed 100 square feet and ten feet high. Learn more restrictions here.
City Contacts
City Hall
16400 Colorado Ave.
Paramount, CA 90723
(562) 220-2225
Pasadena
Pasadena adopted an ordinance on November 13 reaffirming their ban on all cannabis activities.
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary or Delivery?
No. Pasadena bans all commercial cannabis activity.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
You may only grow six plants indoors no matter how many adults live at the residence. Outdoor cultivation is strictly prohibited.
City Contacts
City Hall
100 Garfield Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 744-7311
Pico Rivera
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary or Delivery?
Recreational and medical dispensaries and deliveries are banned.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
Under the current moratorium, cultivation remains limited to six plants inside only. Other than that, cultivation regulations refer to state law. Examine the temporary moratorium here.
City Contacts
City Hall
6615 Passons Blvd.
Pico Rivera, CA 90660
(562) 942-2000
Pomona
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary or Delivery?
Pomona explicitly prohibits both medical and recreational services of any type.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
Pomona’s regulations are similar to Fontana’s as the city’s charging for a permit and imposing extremely invasive regulations. Among these is a requirement allowing the city to inspect your personal property at any given time with 72 hours notice. Until the challenge to these prohibitive ordinances has been answered, it’ll be very difficult to comply with the city’s regulations.
City Contacts
City Hall
505 Garey Ave.
Pomona, CA 91766
(909) 620-2311
Rancho Palos Verdes
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary or Delivery?
No. Both dispensaries and deliveries are banned, no matter the usage.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
Rancho Palos Verdes has a set of rules for personal cultivation on private property that’s nearly as stringent as most cities’ commercial cultivation permit process. If you’re interested in reading the long list of regulations and prohibitions do so here.
City Contacts
30940 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
(310) 544-5200
Redondo Beach
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary or Delivery?
No. Both dispensaries and deliveries of adult-use and medical cannabis are banned.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
You are limited to six plants only, whether medical or recreational, but can grow your six plants indoors or outdoors. Your cultivation “must occur in a secured location or within a locked structure upon the growers own property, or a property to which they have explicit authority to access in an area that is not visible from a public right-of-way.”
City Contacts
City Hall
415 Diamond Street
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 372-1171
Rosemead
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary or Delivery?
No. Both medical and adult-use dispensaries and deliveries are explicitly banned. However, there’s an exception: primary caregivers can deliver medical marijuana to their qualified patients.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
Rosemead hasn’t adopted new regulations since 2016 when it banned all cannabis activity, so refer to state law. Periodically ask if there are any recent regulations as the city can adopt new rules any time.
City Contacts
City Hall
8838 E Valley Blvd.
Rosemead, CA 91770
(626) 569-2100
Santa Clarita
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary or Delivery?
No; both dispensaries and deliveries are banned as part of an extended moratorium. The city plans to develop a more permanent ban ordinance later this year.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
The city requires all cultivation to be indoors or inside a fully enclosed, locked accessory structure. The city doesn’t have specific codes regarding personal medical cultivation, so it’s best to speak to an attorney if you have questions.
The city’s ban ordinance isn’t listed on any of the normally easily accessible sites, so here’s a link to the ordinance. The pertinent parts are on page 162.
City Contacts
City Hall Mailing Address
23920 Valencia Blvd., Suite 300
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
Phone: (661) 259-CITY [2489]
Fax: (661) 259-8125
Santa Monica
Santa Monica will allow a very small number of medical dispensaries, but adult-use is out. The city also allows for light manufacturing.
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary?
You can purchase medical only.
Can I Get Delivery?
Yes, but medical only.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
They haven’t established specific cultivation rules yet, so it’s best to call the city and ask before beginning either medical or recreational grows.
Taxes
Taxes haven’t been established, though expect an ordinance soon.
City Contacts
City Hall
1685 Main St.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 458-8411
South Gate
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary or Delivery?
No. They’re both strictly prohibited.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
South Gate is one of the cities attempting to require a permit to grow cannabis at home. The city doesn’t charge a fee, but the applicant must sign an affidavit confirming he or she won’t engage in marijuana cultivation for commercial purposes. Growing is strictly limited to six plants and only in a certain type of room. Learn the rest of the city’s regulations here.
City Contacts
City Hall
8650 California Ave.
South Gate, CA 90280
(323) 563-9543
Torrance
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary or Delivery?
Both medical and recreational dispensaries and delivery services are explicitly banned.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
Torrance forbids all medical and adult-use cultivation except for the state allowed six plants, which must be grown indoors. Oddly, there’s no exception for medical patients under 21. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
The code states, “Cultivation of medicinal and adult-use cannabis is expressly prohibited in the City. No person, including a qualified patient or primary caregiver, will cultivate any amount of cannabis in the City, even for medical purposes.”
City Contacts
City Hall
3031 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90503
(310) 328-5310
West Covina
West Covina passed a restrictive ban ordinance more than a month before Prop 64 passed.
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary or Delivery?
No. Both dispensaries and deliveries are prohibited.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
West Covina is attempting to limit recreational and medical cultivation to exclusively to residents 21 and older. Review the remainder of the cultivation restrictions here.
City Contacts
City Hall
1444 West Garvey Ave. S
West Covina, CA 91790
(626) 939-8400
Whittier
Can I Purchase from a Dispensary or Delivery?
For now, Whittier still bans all commercial cannabis activity, including deliveries. They may consider changing their ordinance in the near future.
What Are the Rules for Growing My Own?
Whittier doesn’t allow outdoor cultivation. Other than that, there are no additional restrictions beyond state law. You can read their short cultivation rules here.
City Contacts
City Hall
13230 Penn St.
Whittier, CA 90602
(562) 567-9999