Is It Legal To Smoke Marijuana In San Francisco?
People ask the same question. Why is San Francisco, and for that matter, the whole state of California, so relaxed — or should we say zoned — when it comes to marijuana? Can you explain the drug situation in California, please?
We can, but we also need to be diplomatic in our answer. In no way are we promoting the use of marijuana. But we understand, that on occasion, travelers are curious to indulge. After all, why has Snoop Dogg rapped about it for all these years? What is the deal?
To sum things up: currently in America, the possession of marijuana is ILLEGAL.
California, however, is different. Just recently in 2018, the population voted to make the drug legal. In other words, just like for alcohol, you are allowed to buy and possess the marijuana if you are over 21 years of age.
Over time, though, probably because the drug was abundant and even became a crucial part of the local economy, several states passed laws saying if someone has a chronic aliment such as leukemia or cancer, the person is allowed to carry a medical marijuana card and maintain the drug for personal use.
The ticket, and keywords, to freedom have been “a medical marijuana card.”
But over time, especially in California, the laws have loosened to not only include chronic ailments, but to add problems such as anorexia and insomnia.
In other words, if you can’t sleep, you can pay a doctor $60 and obtain a medical marijuana card, and it says you can carry the drug legally. Frankly, if you want a card, you can probably get one.
And today, because the drug is so prevalent and so many people own medical marijuana cards in California, many of the police turn their heads and ignore the smoke. After all, bigger problems exist in the world, right?
So whether you call it progressive or lawless, when you travel to California, you’ll notice things a little different than in other states. Of course, there’s a whole lot more to the story, but that’s the background. For good or bad, you can get your panties in a wad or accept people for what they like to do.
But remember, the drug is still ILLEGAL. Sorta.
