How to Order Cannabis for Delivery in California: Rules, Products, Taxes, and ID Requirements

California allows adults and qualified medical patients to order cannabis online for delivery, but the transaction must go through a licensed cannabis retailer. The process is not the same as ordinary mail-order shopping: cannabis must be delivered by an authorized retailer to a physical address in California, and it cannot be sent through the U.S. Postal Service or transported across state lines.

Is cannabis delivery legal in California?

Yes. California retailers may sell cannabis through storefronts or delivery-only operations. The state’s Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) license types identify delivery-only businesses as non-storefront retailers. Storefront dispensaries may also offer delivery.

Local rules still matter. Cities and counties can prohibit or restrict cannabis businesses, and retailers may limit their delivery areas even when state law permits delivery. Before ordering, check the DCC license search tool or the state’s Real California Cannabis retailer directory to confirm that the business is licensed.

How to order cannabis online

1. Choose a licensed retailer. Use the retailer’s own website or a technology platform that clearly identifies the licensed business making the sale. A legitimate retailer should provide its legal business name and license information.
2. Review the products and labels. Online menus may include flower, pre-rolls, concentrates, vape products, edibles, tinctures, topicals, and accessories. Compare the amount of THC and CBD per package and, for edibles, the amount per serving. Products sold by licensed retailers must pass required testing and quality-control reviews.
3. Check the total cost. The final price may include the product price, delivery charges, California’s cannabis excise tax, sales tax, and a local cannabis business tax. Payment methods vary by retailer. Cash and debit payments are common; consumers should confirm accepted payment methods before submitting an order.
4. Enter a physical California delivery address. Under current DCC regulations, delivery employees may deliver cannabis only to a physical address in California. A retailer may not leave the order unattended, and the customer must be available for the required in-person handoff.
5. Present valid identification. Retailers must verify the customer’s identity and age. Adult-use customers must be at least 21. Medical customers may be 18 or older, but must have a valid physician’s recommendation; retailers may also require medical identification documents.

Retail sales and deliveries generally must take place between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Pacific time, although a city or county may impose more restrictive hours. Hotels, vacation rentals, apartment buildings, and other properties may also have their own rules about receiving or possessing cannabis, so customers should confirm that delivery is permitted at the specific location.

Choosing among cannabis products

Consumers often see products described as “sativa,” “indica,” or “hybrid.” Those labels can provide a rough marketing shorthand, but they do not reliably predict how a product will affect every person. Potency, dose, route of administration, cannabinoid content, terpene profile, tolerance, and individual biology may all influence the experience.

• Flower and pre-rolls: These are inhaled and may produce effects relatively quickly. Products can vary widely in THC concentration.
• Edibles and beverages: Effects usually take longer to begin and can last longer than inhaled cannabis. Consumers should follow the package serving size and avoid taking more while waiting for effects.
• Concentrates and vape products: These can contain substantially more THC than traditional flower and may be unsuitable for inexperienced consumers.
• Tinctures: These are liquid products generally taken by mouth, with effects depending on the formulation and dose.
• Topicals: These are applied to the skin and are not typically used for intoxication, though product effects and evidence vary.

New or infrequent consumers should pay close attention to serving sizes and THC amounts. Cannabis can impair reaction time, coordination, judgment, and driving ability. Do not drive or operate machinery after using it, and keep products away from children and pets.

Medical cannabis and the MMIC program

A medical marijuana identification card, or MMIC, is not required for every medical purchase. California permits patients age 18 or older to buy medicinal cannabis with a physician’s recommendation. The state’s voluntary Medical Marijuana Identification Card Program provides an official card and registry for qualified patients and caregivers.

An MMIC can be useful because qualified medical patients may have higher possession or purchase limits when supported by a physician’s recommendation. A valid MMIC may also allow a purchaser to claim an exemption from California sales tax on qualifying medical cannabis purchases when it is presented with valid government-issued identification. The cannabis excise tax still applies.

Applications are handled through county health departments. Applicants generally need proof of identity and California residency, a physician’s documentation, and applicable fees. The state provides MMIC application forms and instructions.

Taxes and purchase limits

California’s cannabis excise tax is currently 15 percent of gross receipts for retail sales made on or after October 1, 2025. The tax may apply to certain delivery charges and other amounts connected with the sale. Retail purchases are also generally subject to state and local sales taxes, as well as any local cannabis business taxes. Rates vary by location; the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration’s tax-rate information provides the current state excise-tax schedule.

For adult-use purchases, the standard daily limits include up to 28.5 grams of nonconcentrated cannabis, 8 grams of cannabis concentrate, and six immature plants. Medical patients may have different limits when a physician’s recommendation documents a greater amount. Retailers may impose lower limits based on inventory, company policy, or local requirements.

What cannot be delivered

A California retailer may deliver only to a physical address within California. Cannabis cannot legally be shipped through USPS, and a California delivery order cannot be mailed or carried across state lines—even when the destination state also permits cannabis. Federal law and other states’ laws may still prohibit possession or transportation.

Frequently asked questions

Is mail-order cannabis legal in California?

Licensed retailers may accept online orders for in-state delivery, but this is not the same as mailing cannabis through USPS. Delivery must be completed by an authorized retailer to a physical address in California.

Do local rules affect cannabis delivery?

Yes. California allows licensed delivery businesses, but cities and counties can restrict cannabis businesses, and retailers can set their own service areas and operating policies.

Do I need a medical card?

No, not if you are 21 or older and making an adult-use purchase. A customer age 18 to 20 needs a physician’s recommendation for medicinal cannabis. An MMIC is voluntary, although it may provide tax and identification benefits for qualified patients.

Can cannabis be delivered to a hotel?

Possibly. The retailer must be willing to deliver there, the property must allow it, and the recipient must meet all age and identification requirements. Delivery to a hotel does not permit consumption in areas where the property or California law prohibits it.

Can tourists order cannabis delivery?

Visitors age 21 or older may generally make adult-use purchases with valid government-issued identification, subject to the retailer’s delivery area and the rules of the property where the order is received. Cannabis must remain in California and cannot be taken across state lines.