San Francisco, CA Public Conduct: Public Marijuana Use (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Health Code Art. 19F
- "Smoking" covers
- Tobacco or any other weed/plant
- Buffer from entrances
- 15 feet if no curb
- Enforcement
- DPH civil/administrative penalty
- Carve-out
- Does not affect medical cannabis laws
Summary
San Francisco's citywide smoking ordinance defines "smoking" to include any lighted "weed or plant," covering marijuana, and bans it in the same buildings, entrances, transit stops and public areas where tobacco smoking is prohibited.
"Smoking" or "to smoke" means and includes inhaling, exhaling, burning or carrying any lighted smoking equipment for tobacco or any other weed or plant, except that this Article shall not affect the policy making marijuana offenses the lowest law enforcement priority under Chapter 96B of the Administrative Code nor affect any laws or regulations regarding medical cannabis;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-96: Codes: last updated to include changes made by legislation through Ordinance 133-26, File No. 260686, approved July 23, 2026, effective August 23, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Health Code Article 19F bans smoking inside buildings, within 15 feet of entrances/exits/windows without a curb, in service waiting areas (transit stops, ATM lines), farmers markets and other listed public-facing spaces. Its definition of "smoking" expressly reaches marijuana as "any other weed or plant," while leaving Chapter 96B's lowest-enforcement-priority policy and medical cannabis laws untouched. Violators face civil or administrative penalties.
Violations & Fines
Civil or administrative penalty per Cal. Labor Code Sec. 6404.5 for each day of violation, plus injunctive relief; enforced by the Director of Public Health or City Attorney under Admin. Code Chapter 100.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is smoking marijuana in public illegal in San Francisco?
Does SF still treat marijuana enforcement as low priority?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Francisco
California rules heatmap·Compare San Francisco to another location·View the California public conduct overview
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