Social media reacts to the Jan. 1 start of recreational marijuana sales in California

Shops in California can now sell marijuana to customers 21 and older with only an I.D., as legalization triggered by the 2016 passage of Proposition 64 takes full effect.

Some customers lined up for hours to be the first to buy legal cannabis Monday morning.

First day of California cannabis legalization at Harborside! It’s 6:15am and all is super groovy. The new renovation is lovely, as were all the dedicated people waiting in line outside since last night! The Harborside fam worked so hard to make it come together and it did. Andrew even got to share the moment with his great college pals, who remember his dream of this day from many moons ago… Happy New Year!! ✌????❤️ #harborside #harborsideoakland #oakland #harborsidefam #cannabiscommunity #california #californiacannabis #cannabis #adultuse #cannabisindustry

A post shared by Samantha Campos (@herestothelady) on Jan 1, 2018 at 7:51am PST

Others took to social media to share their thoughts on this historic day.

With #California #LEGALIZE #cannabis #marijuana that should help the State #economy and put a major dent in the Cartels drug business. California as always setting the #Trends for #America. ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

— James V Greco,Artist (@greco_james) January 1, 2018

California begins selling recreational marijuana today to those 21 and older. Personal Freedom – 1 War on Drugs – 0#marijuana pic.twitter.com/p9WlmWZG3f

— CincyPhotography.com (@CincyPhotoGuy) January 1, 2018

The new laws of course sparked a good number of jokes on social media.

In 2020, every candidate in the California primary better have an opinion on their favorite strain of marijuana or this whole legalization thing is a bust!

— Dan Wilbur (@DanWilbur) January 1, 2018

California isn’t wasting any time with the new 2018 recreational marijuana law. pic.twitter.com/rDccV7895N

— Geoff Hudik (@thnk2wn) January 1, 2018

Happy 2018, California! Start the new year with some newly legalized recreational marijuana and PLANET EARTH 2 on a 4K TV. (Or just watch the Snoop Dog version.) pic.twitter.com/75QY6tEWnN

— Drew Morton (@thecinemadoctor) January 1, 2018

At 12AM Marijuana is legal in California. Junk food is shaking.

— Josh Peck (@ItsJoshPeck) January 1, 2018

Others took a more serious approach, reminding folks of the rules around consuming and driving, workplace drug testing and being a non-citizen consumer.

Hi yall, now that marijuana is legal in California please do not smoke and drive, treat it the same as drunk driving

— brooke uhlenhop (@BrookeUhlenhop) January 1, 2018

As a manager in California, Knowing that recreational marijuana is legal, would you hire an employee that fails a drug test due to marijuana usage? #Management #leadership #California

— Atem T (@AT360_) January 1, 2018

Recreational marijuana is now legal in California but if you’re a non-citizen, you absolutely cannot be caught by feds in possession of marijuana or admit to using it. No, not even for health problems.

— Prerna P. Lal, Esq. (@prernaplal) January 1, 2018

Some people outside California looked at the Golden State on Monday with longing.

Awoke this morning to an excited phone call from one of my best friends in California. Today is the first day of full legal marijuana and he is STOKED!????????????#PlacesIWantToBe

— LadyButterflyNebula (@MoonstarMcWind) January 1, 2018

New York absolutely needs to follow California’s lead to fully legalize marijuana.

— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) January 1, 2018

And predictions about the impact that will come from the most populous state in the nation launching sales are coming in fast and furious.

Huge congratulations to California as they complete the 22 year fight to legalize recreational marijuana. I’d expect the price of weed to tank soon

— Drake Walters (@DrakeW27) January 1, 2018

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