Proposition 215 (Compassionate Use Act of 1996)

Proposition 215 was a landmark California ballot initiative passed in 1996, making California the first state to legalize the medical use of cannabis.

What It Legalized

The Compassionate Use Act allows patients and their designated primary caregivers to possess and cultivate cannabis for medical treatment with a physician's recommendation. It was enacted to ensure that "seriously ill Californians have the right to obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes."

This proposition provided protection from state criminal prosecution for these activities. It laid the groundwork for the state's medical marijuana program, which has since evolved with subsequent legislation.

Grasshopper and Medical Patients

Grasshopper operates in full compliance with all state regulations governing both medical and adult-use cannabis. While Proposition 64 established a framework for adult-use (recreational) cannabis, the medical program established by Prop 215 continues. Patients with a valid medical marijuana recommendation may be exempt from certain taxes and may have different possession limits compared to adult-use consumers. We are committed to serving the needs of medical patients in our service areas.