Cannabis Regulations in San Diego, CA (2026)
6 verified cannabis regulations for San Diego, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Home Cultivation
San Diego prohibits outdoor growing of personal cannabis. Adults 21+ may cultivate up to six plants indoors per household under California Proposition 64 (HSC §11362.2). Medical cannabis patients may cultivate up to 6 mature and 12 immature plants at home. All home cultivation must be indoors, in a locked area not visible from public spaces. Local regulations are implemented through SDMC Chapter 4, Article 2, Division 15.
San Diego Home Cannabis Cultivation
Some RestrictionsCal. Health & Safety Code § 11362.2
11362.2. (a) Personal cultivation of cannabis under paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 11362.1 is subject to the following restrictions: (1) A person shall plant, cultivate, harvest, dry, or process plants in accordance with local ordinances, if any, adopted in accordance with subdivision (b). (2) The living plants and any cannabis produced by the plants in excess of 28.5 grams are kep...
Dispensary Zoning
San Diego allows a maximum of four Cannabis Outlets per City Council district (36 citywide) with a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) per SDMC §141.0504. Cannabis Production Facilities (CPFs) are limited to 40 citywide per §141.1004. Outlets must be at least 1,000 feet from other outlets, parks, churches, schools, childcare centers, playgrounds, libraries, and minor-oriented facilities, and at least 100 feet from residential zones. Operating hours are 6 AM-10 PM per 2025 amendment.
San Diego Cannabis Dispensary Zoning
Heavy RestrictionsBuffer Zones
SDMC §141.0614 requires 1,000 feet between any Marijuana Outlet and a school, public park, library, child-care center, playground, residential care facility, church, or another marijuana outlet, measured property line to property line citywide.
Cannabis dispensaries need 1000 ft buffer from sensitive uses
Heavy RestrictionsCal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 26054
26054. (a) A licensee shall not sell alcoholic beverages or tobacco products on or at any premises licensed under this division. (b) A premises licensed under this division shall not be located within a 600-foot radius of a school providing instruction in kindergarten or any grades 1 through 12, daycare center, or youth center that is in existence at the time the license is issued, unless the d...
Personal Cultivation Limits
Adults 21 and older in San Diego may cultivate up to six living cannabis plants per private residence under California Proposition 64, codified at Health and Safety Code §11362.1, with plants kept indoors or in a locked secured area not visible from public view.
Six plants per residence under California Proposition 64
Few RestrictionsCal. Health & Safety Code § 11362.1
(a) Subject to Sections 11362.2, 11362.3, 11362.4, and 11362.45, but notwithstanding any other provision of law, it shall be lawful under state and local law, and shall not be a violation of state or local law, for persons 21 years of age or older to: (1) Possess, process, transport, purchase, obtain, or give away to persons 21 years of age or older without any compensation whatsoever, not more...
Commercial Cannabis Zoning
SDMC §141.0614 limits commercial cannabis activity to specific zones in San Diego: Marijuana Outlets in CC, CO, CR, CV, IL, IH, and IS zones; cannabis Production Facilities in IL, IH, and IS industrial zones, all subject to a Conditional Use Permit and 1,000-foot sensitive-use buffers.
Cannabis commercial uses limited to specific industrial zones
Some RestrictionsLooking for San Diego County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Diego city rules.
Cannabis Regulations in San Diego County →
Social Equity Licensing
San Diego is developing a Cannabis Social Equity Program under Council direction adopted in 2022. Program design covers fee waivers, priority licensing, and technical assistance for residents harmed by past cannabis enforcement, with state Cannabis Equity Grant funds supporting rollout.
San Diego Cannabis Social Equity Program in early development
Few Restrictions