Everyone in California knows that it’s legal to use marijuana recreationally, but what about when it comes to growing it at home? The legal requirements and constraints can be confusing, so our explainer will break down California’s cannabis home grow laws.
Can You Grow Cannabis in California at Home?
Yes! Before we explain the finer details of cannabis home grow laws in California, it’s important to point out that it’s perfectly legal for most people over the age of 21 to grow marijuana at home. California is one of 18 states (including Washington DC) as of this writing that allows for the legal possession, use, and growth of cannabis for non-medical purposes.
The legalization of recreational marijuana in California came in 2016 when California voters passed Prop 64, also known as the Adult Use of Marijuana Act. Although it’s been a few years since California passed the act, there’s still some confusion about what people can legally grow at home and what is still illegal—but that’s why we’re here to help!
How Much Cannabis Can You Grow at Home in California?
One of the most common questions from Californians is how much cannabis the average person can grow at home. The Adult Use of Marijuana Act allows for the growth of up to six cannabis plants at home by anyone over 21 years old.
However, there is a significant difference between growing cannabis at home for personal use and growing cannabis for cultivation and commercial purposes. If a person grows more than six marijuana plants at home without a cultivation license, they are violating the act and are subject to penalties.
Do I Need a License To Grow Cannabis at Home in California?
If you only want to grow marijuana at home for personal use and you’re over 21, you can do so without needing any license or permits—as long as it’s six plants or fewer. To grow cannabis commercially at home, you must apply for a cultivation license in California.
The Department of Cannabis Control issues cultivation licenses in California, and the type of cultivation license a grower needs can change based on factors like:
- Number of plants grown
- Lighting used
- Whether its an indoor or outdoor growing operation
- Size of the canopy (the area where mature plants are grown)
There are also specific cultivation licenses for those who don’t intend to grow fully mature cannabis plants but only for the propagation of seeds, clones, and immature plants. Once you’ve got your licenses, you can start assembling your commercial operation by planning your facility and buying cannabis harvesting equipment.
We hope our explainer has helped to clear things up regarding California home-growing laws! Make sure that if you start growing, you stay within the legal parameters of California and your local town or county.
