Cannabis age verification rules: 21 for adult-use sales
Every state with legal adult-use cannabis sets the minimum purchase age at 21. Federal law sets no purchase age because cannabis stays a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act. The age rule comes from state law, and the store checks it at the door.
Medical cannabis runs on different rules. A patient under 21 can buy in some states with a state-issued patient card and a registered caregiver. Pediatric patients need a caregiver to pick up the product. As of 2025, 24 states and the District of Columbia allow adult-use sales.
Which IDs a dispensary accepts
- State driver's license or state ID card, including the vertical license issued to people under 21
- US passport or passport card
- US military ID
- Tribal ID from a federally recognized tribe, in states that list it as valid
Real ID is not required. The ID must be current, so an expired card fails. Most adult-use stores accept an out-of-state license. Medical sales in some states require proof of residency.
What happens at the door
Staff compares your face to the photo and reads the birth date. Some states require a check of every person who enters. Other states require a check when a person looks under 30 or under 40. A scanner reads the barcode on the back of a license to confirm the card is not altered. Most states do not let stores keep a copy of your ID.
When a store can refuse a sale
A store can turn away a customer with no ID, an expired ID, a damaged ID, or an ID that fails a scan. Staff can refuse a sale if the customer shows signs of intoxication. Possession limits apply after the purchase, and the limit varies by state.
Under 21 in an adult-use store
People under 21 cannot enter or buy in an adult-use store. Some states allow entry with a patient card for a medical purchase at a store that holds both licenses. Rules differ by state, so call the store before you travel.
What to bring
Bring one current government photo ID. Keep it in your hand at the door. If you use a medical card, bring it plus the state ID that matches the name on the card. Expect a second check at the register, even if the door check passed.