Where can you smoke weed in California? Public and private spaces to light up

Yes, it is now legal to smoke marijuana in California. But before you light up, it's important to know where you can and cannot smoke, as certain restrictions still apply. 

A good rule of thumb 

If you can't smoke a cigarette in a particular area, you probably can't smoke weed there, either. Places like schools, daycare centers and most public spaces are not weed-friendly. Smoking while driving also remains illegal. 

Public places to smoke 

According to the Los Angeles Times, Californians cannot smoke marijuana anywhere in public unless it's specifically permitted by local ordinance. This means you shouldn't expect to pull out a joint in a restaurant, bar or movie theater without consequences. If you're caught doing so — or even just blazing up on the street — you could be slapped with a $100 fine. 

That said, certain places will eventually be able to allow people to smoke on their premises. The travel industry, in particular, has seen dollar signs in these recently relaxed laws, with a new kind of business — buds and breakfasts — catering to the marijuana tourism industry. Still, we're unlikely to see these types of establishments pop up in California until they can obtain legal clearance. 

Private places to smoke 

The safest place to smoke weed in California is still in your home. You can also partoke in someone else's private residence, as long as they're okay with it. Amanda Reiman, manager of marijuana law and policy for the Drug Policy Alliance, told Time she expects people in California will eventually begin holding private events where people can smoke marijuana — "pending local rules," of course.