Walnut Creek bans all commercial cannabis retail, including medical dispensaries, under WCMC §10-2.3.204 (adopted 2017). State-licensed delivery services may deliver medical cannabis to qualified patients with valid Medical Marijuana Identification Cards. Personal cultivation of up to 6 plants indoors is permitted.
Walnut Creek is one of many California cities exercising local authority under MAUCRSA (Business & Professions Code §26000 et seq.) to ban commercial cannabis retail establishments, including medical dispensaries, cultivation, manufacturing, testing labs, and distribution. WCMC §10-2.3.204 explicitly prohibits all commercial cannabis activity within city limits. Medical cannabis patients holding valid Medical Marijuana Identification Cards (MMIC) under California Health & Safety Code §11362.71 may still access cannabis through: (1) state-licensed delivery services, which are permitted statewide regardless of local retail bans per Bureau of Cannabis Control regulations and the Superior Court ruling in County of Santa Cruz v. BCC; (2) personal cultivation of up to 6 plants per residence indoors (or outdoors if the city allowed — Walnut Creek prohibits outdoor cultivation); (3) travel to neighboring jurisdictions with licensed dispensaries (Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond, Vallejo). Qualified patients receive tax exemptions on state excise taxes for medical purchases with MMIC. Landlords may still prohibit cannabis use on rental property under Civil Code §1940.4. Employers may still test for cannabis despite medical use. Medical recommendations from California-licensed physicians are required for MMIC issuance through Contra Costa Health Services.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Contra Costa County.
See how other cities in Contra Costa County handle dispensary zoning.
See how Walnut Creek's dispensary zoning rules stack up against other locations.
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