Lancaster, CA Public Conduct: Public Marijuana Use (2026)

Chapter 8.32's definitions section, 8.32.020, defines "Smoke" to include "tobacco smoke, vapors from an electronic device, and Cannabis smoke," and defines "Smoking" as inhaling, exhaling, burning or carrying any lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, pipe, hookah, electronic device, "or plant product." Section 8.32.030 bans smoking and tobacco product use in the enclosed areas of every place of employment and public place in the city, subject only to narrow exceptions for a fraction of hotel rooms, freestanding tobacco shops, and stage productions. Section 8.32.060(F) ties cannabis directly to that ban: "Pursuant to California state law, Health and Safety Code sections 11362.3 and 11362.79, Cannabis Smoking is prohibited wherever Smoking is prohibited." Because Section 8.32.040 separately bans smoking in unenclosed recreational areas, service areas and places of employment, the combined effect is that lighting cannabis in nearly any workplace, business, park, sidewalk service line, or public event in Lancaster violates the chapter.

Enforcement runs through Chapter 8.28's public nuisance machinery: Section 8.32.070(B) makes every incident of prohibited smoking, cannabis included, "a public nuisance under Chapter 8.28 of the Lancaster Municipal Code," punishable under that chapter or by civil penalties assessed under Chapter 1.16. Enforcement is discretionary with the city and creates no private right of action to compel it against another party, per Section 8.32.070(D).