California allows adult-use cannabis for people 21 and older and medicinal cannabis for people 18 and older with a physician's recommendation. Cities and counties may be stricter.
This is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Laws and local rules change. Read the official sources at the bottom of this page.
Cannabis-friendly lawyers in California
Listed October 2026
These firms and attorneys are listed in the NORML lawyer directory for California. Cities and phone numbers below are taken from those listings.
Criminal defense and individual help
Okorie C. Okorocha NORML directory
Los Angeles
Listed in the NORML lawyer directory for California as a criminal defense and marijuana lawyer in Los Angeles.
Source: NORML listing
Law Office of Randy Sue Pollock NORML directory
Randy Sue Pollock · Oakland
Listed in the NORML lawyer directory for California as a criminal defense and marijuana lawyer in Oakland.
Source: NORML listing
Law Office of Robert Boyd NORML directory
Robert Boyd · Ukiah
Listed in the NORML lawyer directory for California as a criminal defense and marijuana lawyer in Ukiah.
Source: NORML listing
Criminal defense
These lawyers defend cannabis and marijuana charges in California.
Roberts | Elliott Law Corp.
San Jose
The San Jose firm says it defends people charged with marijuana possession, sales, transportation, and cultivation.
Pot Brothers at Law
Stanton
Pot Brothers at Law in Stanton says it defends cannabis criminal allegations including sales, possession, transportation, distribution, and cultivation.
Starting a cannabis business
These lawyers help with licensing, forming a company, and compliance for a cannabis business in California.
Nelson Hardiman, LLP
Los Angeles
Nelson Hardiman says it handles licensing and compliance for marijuana businesses in California and describes work with Los Angeles dispensaries.
The Law Office of Shay Aaron Gilmore
San Francisco
The firm's site says it serves cannabis and hemp operators and investors as a business transactions attorney and lists cannabis business entity formation, with a San Francisco address.
Not a referral. This list is not an endorsement, and there is no paid placement. We have not verified bar standing or discipline history. Before you hire anyone, confirm them in the State Bar of California attorney search, and you can also use the certified lawyer referral services.
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Who can buy and use it
- The Department of Cannabis Control says cannabis is legal in California.
- A person may buy it at 18 or older with a physician's recommendation, for medicinal use, or at 21 or older for adult use.
- Cities and counties may set stricter rules than the state.
- The same page says medicinal users have higher possession limits and may grow more if a physician recommends it. The page does not state those higher numbers.
Where it can be used, and home grow
- Use it on private property, not in public places such as restaurants or bars.
- A person who is at least 21 may grow up to six plants at home.
- If cannabis is turned into a product, volatile solvents such as butane or propane cannot be used.
- Some cities require indoor grows or a permit.