California has some of the most progressive weed laws in the entire US. Since the Farm Bill was introduced in 2018, the state has made it even easier to grow and buy weed. Not only that, but individuals can also grow their own plants and share them with friends.
Still, we should know a couple of things before we visit a dispensary and try to light up in a bar. So let’s see what to expect when visiting San Francisco and where the best places to buy weed are.
California and Weed
San Francisco, California, is where the battle for marijuana legalization started in the 90s. In November 1991, 71% of San Francisco residents voted to legalize the medical use of cannabis. Nowadays, San Francisco is a cultural hub for anyone who loves weed.
What’s more, San Francisco doesn’t really import weed, so most of their marijuana supplies are high-quality. So now, let’s see what we can expect in Golden Gate City.
Where to Buy Weed in San Francisco, California
Since California has such lax laws regarding weed, buying it legally isn’t that difficult. But before we take you to the best places selling weed locally in San Francisco, let’s take a look at the opportunities for online shopping.
Buying Weed Online in San Francisco, California: Is It Even an Option?
California has a robust marijuana market. As the “capital state of weed,” it is home to many dispensaries operating both locally and online. You can actually use marijuana delivery services in San Francisco, just like you can order your weed online in Canada.
But what if you’re not from California, but you’d like to taste the local weed?
Unfortunately, out-of-state shipping isn’t an option, as transportation of cannabis across state lines is considered a federal felony.
So, until the federal government decriminalizes the full-spectrum of cannabis plants and products, there’s only one alternative to buying weed online in San Francisco — but it’s an appealing one.
A Better and Legal Alternative to Marijuana in San Francisco
Until recently, people have associated the weed high with the classic version of tetrahydrocannabinol — delta 9 THC.
This is the most abundant cannabinoid in marijuana plants, one that’s responsible for the euphoric buzz that you experience after smoking, vaping, or eating weed.
Thanks to the recent technological breakthroughs, cannabis aficionados have another compound to get high on — it’s delta 8 THC.
Ever heard of it?
Jump in for a ride.
Delta 8 vs. Delta 9 THC
Delta 8 THC is the analog of delta 9 THC. In simple English, it’s a molecule with a similar chemical structure but with slight differences between the arrangement between its atoms.
Delta 8 THC isn’t synthesized naturally by cannabis plants. Instead, it can be extracted from delta 9 THC or converted from CBD to delta 9 and then to delta 8.
Some people may be apprehensive about using delta 9 THC is the trippy character of its high. Some people don’t feel comfortable with it, which is understandable — we’re all different, after all.
Delta 8 THC is about twice less potent as its classic variant, so it doesn’t get the user as edgy as delta 9.
Most users describe the high from delta 8 as smooth, clear-headed, and less anxious. On top of that, delta 8 THC has similar benefits for pain management, nausea, inflammation, and appetite stimulation.
Cons of Delta 9 THC
The majority of people who try cannabis can enjoy the high induced by delta 9 THC without anxiety or paranoia. In addition, low and moderate doses of this cannabinoid promote relaxation, elevate mood, and offer a range of medical benefits. That being said, some users may be particularly sensitive to THC; namely, their CB1 receptors in the brain easily get overstimulated when they smoke weed.
High doses of THC can backfire at the user, causing the following reactions:
- Anxiety
- Feelings of unease
- Paranoia
- Increased heart rate
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
Pros of Buying Delta 8 THC Online
As a new kid on the block, delta 8 THC is storming the U.S. cannabis market, with lots of hemp brands flooding the delta 8 scene. But, unfortunately, most products sold online are untested and often mislabeled, so customers can’t be sure if they’re buying a safe product for their health.
Many d8 extracts sold locally contain dangerous additives or are contaminated with residual solvents.
That’s why we prefer buying delta 8 THC online.
When you browse the web for delta 8 products, you have more opportunities for researching your potential supplier. For example, you can look for certificates of analysis (COA), read user reviews on third-party websites, or check the company’s reputation on social media and niche forums.
Here are a few other perks of buying delta 8 THC online in San Francisco.
Shipped to Your Door Legally in Your State
As we said, you can’t legally buy weed online from California even if you live in a state that has legalized weed (e.g., Colorado). The federal government treats it as a felony, so traveling with weed out of California can put you into prison for several years.
In contrast, delta 8 THC is legal on a federal level.
One of the possible extraction methods uses a conversion process that first extracts CBD from hemp, converts it into delta 9 THC, and then synthesizes delta 8.
Such products are federally legal because they contain less than 0.3% of delta 9 THC.
Only 11 states have banned delta 8 THC, including Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, Rhode Island, and Utah.
Receive in 2-3 Days with the Convenience of Shopping at Home
Buying delta 8 THC is definitely more convenient than local errands. When you shop for d8 online, you can browse different formulas, potencies, flavors, and prices without leaving your house. Local stores usually have one or two types of delta 8 in stock, making you have to drive between different locations to get the same type of comparison.
Once you’ve made your mind and placed an order, it usually takes 2–3 days for the package to arrive. However, cannabis companies are known for their fast delivery times, so it may be better to wait these extra few days to get a certified product.
No Anxiety as Seen with Delta 9 THC’s High
Delta 8 THC is about half as potent as delta 9, meaning you’d need to consume twice as much delta 8 to get the same intensity of high as with delta 9. The benefit of a lower potency is the less anxious character of its psychoactive effects. Getting anxious or paranoid after taking delta 8 THC is extremely rare, making it a good option for people who feel uncomfortable after using regular weed.
Lasts Longer than Delta 9 THC from Marijuana
Despite the lower potency, the effects of delta 8 THC last longer than the ones provided by delta 9. Moreover, delta 8 THC induces a stronger case of munchies, which may be particularly helpful for people struggling with eating disorders.
Top Delta 8 Online Vendors
The delta 8 THC space is a booming market, with lots of sub-par products being churned out by manufacturers who’ve seen a ripe opportunity for making a quick buck on low consumer awareness. Since the FDA doesn’t regulate delta 8 THC products, it’s the buyer’s responsibility to do their research on the quality of any given brand. Lab-testing and extraction methods are paramount for determining the quality, but the source of delta 8 and the company’s transparency are equally important.
If you’re in a rush, feel free to use our recommendations on the best delta 8 THC vendors. Here at WeBeHigh.com, we’re monitoring the new brands entering the cannabis market, reviewing the best and the worst suppliers according to the standards established by the industry’s leaders.
Area52
Area52 is a relatively new name in the delta 8 THC scene. Still, the transparency of their production, the quality of their ingredients, and their commitment to laboratory testing have coined them a sound reputation.
Despite selling a bit more expensive products on the market, customers can enjoy high-quality products without risking their health. With every Area52 product, consumers can easily access the certificates of analysis for the current batch listing everything from the delta 8 THC potency to the entire cannabinoid content to terpenes and potential impurities.
At the moment, Area52 offers delta 8 THC tinctures, vapes, and gummies.
Finest Labs
Finest Labs is the go-to brand for people who want to try delta 8 THC for the first time. That’s because the company sells products in lower concentrations than Area52. At its core, Finest Labs provides the same formats as any other company — tinctures, gummies, and vape carts — but the transparency and integrity of its ingredient and product testing make them a solid choice for anyone interested in reaping the benefits of pure delta 8.
Buying Weed Locally in San Francisco, California
Still, prefer to do your shopping the old school way? Here’s where to buy weed locally in San Francisco.
Dispensaries
Since dispensaries in San Francisco don’t require medical marijuana cards, they’re a great place to buy weed. Not only that, but most of them have a great selection of CBD oils, vape pens, edibles, tinctures, flowers, and much more.
What’s more, for anyone visiting San Francisco for the first time, here’s the list of the top 10 dispensaries in the city. Also, there are plenty of websites online that can help us locate a shop nearby. We can also choose if we want to visit a storefront or if we want to find a dispensary that does deliveries.
Golden Gate Park
We get it; not everyone feels comfortable buying at a dispensary and needs to find a good alternative. In that case, we recommend visiting Golden Gate Park, which is a hotspot for weed dealers.
It’s pretty easy to find someone to buy weed from in the park. Most often, someone will come up and ask if we need some buds. But, of course, we recommend always checking the quality to make sure nobody’s ripping us off.
North Beach
Another great place to find weed in San Francisco is in North Beach. It’s the same experience as buying it in Golden Gate Park. We don’t have to go around looking for a dealer; someone will approach us and ask if we want to buy some buds.
But, be careful when going to North Beach. Since it’s not legal to buy and sell on the streets, police officers tend to patrol the area. Also, some of the weed that’s sold there isn’t really high quality.
Is Weed Legal in San Francisco, California?
Yes, marijuana is legal in California for both medical and recreational use.
Recreational Marijuana Laws in San Francisco, California
In November 2016, California voters passed the Adult Use Marijuana Act known as Proposition 64, making California one of four states to legalize recreational marijuana that year. On January 1, 2018, adult-use cannabis sales were officially launched.
Who Can Buy Recreational Marijuana in San Francisco?
In San Francisco, anyone over the age of 21 can legally buy cannabis products from dispensaries. What’s more, we can legally have 28 grams or less of weed or 8 grams of cannabis concentrate on our person.
Keep in mind that dispensaries retain the right not to sell us any weed if we’ve already bought 28 grams that day. However, if we have more than 28 grams on us, the San Francisco police department could issue a $100 fine.
But what about sharing? San Francisco believes sharing is caring, and we can give our weed to anyone who is over 21. So as long as we’re not selling or giving it to someone under the legal age limit, we won’t run into trouble with the law.
Medical Marijuana Laws in San Francisco
Medical use of marijuana has been legal in California since Proposition 215, the “Compassionate Use Act,” was signed into law in 1996. Eligible patients can apply for a medical marijuana card and purchase their medicine from state-licensed dispensaries.
Who Can Buy Medical Marijuana in San Francisco?
To qualify for participation in the state’s Medical Marijuana Identification Card Program, you must be diagnosed with one of the following conditions:
- AIDS
- Anorexia
- Arthritis
- Cachexia (wasting syndrome)
- Cancer
- Chronic pain
- Glaucoma
- Migraines
- Persistent muscle spasms
- Seizures
- Severe nausea
Can I Smoke Marijuana in Public?
Now, just because we can share weed doesn’t mean we can do it wherever we want. California has some pretty strict laws when it comes to public smoking. For example, anyone over the age of 18 getting caught smoking in public could face a $100 fine.
What’s more, since smoking isn’t allowed in most bars, we can’t do it there either. And, it’s not just about smoking. Eating cannabis edibles is also illegal in a public area. So, long story short, as long we’re smoking in a private residence — we won’t have any problems.
Can I Grow My Own Weed?
The state of California allows its residents to grow up to six plants per household. But, if we want to cultivate marijuana, we need to make sure it’s not visible from any public space.
Key Takeaways on Buying Weed in San Francisco, California
The quality of the Cali weed is almost legendary.
The state has the most developed recreational marijuana market in the country, with a myriad of dispensaries operating in its cities. So if you live in San Francisco, you shouldn’t have problems finding high-quality weed locally.
If the standard THC makes you feel anxious or drives you into a general discomfort, there’s one alternative that can prove a golden mean between the non-psychoactive CBD and the trippy THC. With recent scientific developments, recreational users can enjoy a smoother high thanks to delta 8 THC products.
The best deals on premium delta 8 THC are found online. However, if you don’t have the time to do your own research, we recommend products from Area52 and Finest Labs. We’ve had a great experience with both brands, and their transparency can make you feel safe in this unregulated space with an overwhelming number of scammy companies.