Cannabis in Santa Monica

On September 9th, 2025, the City Council approved ordinances for a comprehensive adult-use cannabis program, including a cannabis social equity program. Santa Monica's cannabis social equity program aims to address the disproportionate impact of cannabis criminalization on marginalized communities and provide opportunities for those who have been negatively affected by cannabis prohibition to participate in the legal industry. Applications for cannabis retailers (storefront and delivery) will open Monday, January 26, 2026.

For more information on cannabis operations, including on how to apply, in Santa Monica, please see the resources below.

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FAQ

Are cannabis uses currently allowed in Santa Monica?

Yes. Two cannabis retailers were permitted by the City Council as part of 2015 Zoning Ordinance update. Additional cannabis retailers are now permitted and can begin applying for a business license and permit on January 26, 2026.

Why allow adult-use cannabis uses in Santa Monica?

City Council has provided direction to permit a variety of adult-use cannabis uses in the City, starting with retail uses.

What is the timeline for this project?

An adult-use cannabis ordinance and cannabis social equity program were approved by the City Council on September 9th, 2025. Applications for cannabis retailers (storefront and delivery) will open Monday, January 26, 2026.

What is cannabis social equity?

Social equity in cannabis seeks to recognize the long-term negative impact that the criminalization of cannabis has had on minority communities resulting from the enforcement of federal and state laws related to cannabis use and possession. The goal of cannabis social equity is to go beyond simply providing equal access to opportunities by developing an intentional program that helps ensure that the communities most impacted by federal and state cannabis enforcement policies are provided an opportunity to benefit from the newly legalized industry. Many cities and counties have sought to develop cannabis equity programs as a means for reducing barriers to entry into the commercial cannabis industry for communities and individuals most impacted by the war on drugs. For social equity programs to be meaningful, however, they must be based upon data to identify those communities within each jurisdiction that have historically been most adversely impacted.