Cannabis delivery laws vary widely across the United States, but more states now let consumers order legal products straight to their homes. Here’s a snapshot of five adult-use markets where delivery is allowed and the core rules businesses and customers should know.
1. California
California is a major hub for cannabis delivery. Licensed retailers and non-storefront “Type 9” businesses can deliver across the state, even into cities that ban brick-and-mortar dispensaries, under Department of Cannabis Control regulations. Operators need a retail license with delivery authorization, must use the Metrc track-and-trace system, and keep delivery inventory ledgers before vehicles leave the premises.
Drivers carry the retailer’s license and their ID, keep products locked and out of view, and log every stop and sale. Consumers must be 21+ (or medical patients) and receive orders at private property, with purchases subject to normal possession and tax rules.
2. Nevada
Nevada permits medical and recreational delivery from licensed dispensaries, but only to private residential addresses—not hotels, casinos, dorms, or other commercial locations. Delivery services use unmarked vehicles with GPS and secure lockboxes, and drivers must verify ID at the door and follow route-logging rules.
Adults 21 and over can have orders delivered up to Nevada’s purchase limits (often 1 ounce of flower or equivalent per transaction), and use is still restricted to private property or licensed consumption lounges.
3. Massachusetts
Massachusetts created specific licenses for delivery, split between Marijuana Couriers (picking up from retailers) and Delivery Operators (who can buy wholesale and deliver from their own depots). The Cannabis Control Commission requires licensees to pre-verify customers, link a government ID to each account, and deliver only to residential addresses in municipalities that have opted in.
Deliveries generally cannot occur between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. unless a town allows extended hours, and locations such as college dorms and some federally backed housing are off-limits. Consumers must be 21+ and are limited by the same purchase caps used for in-store sales.
4. Michigan
In Michigan, licensed provisioning centers and adult-use retailers can offer home delivery once the Cannabis Regulatory Agency approves their written procedures. Deliveries may go to residential addresses or designated consumption establishments for adults 21 and over and registered patients.
Drivers must be at least 21, GPS-tracked, and follow detailed rules on manifests, stop logs, and secure storage of products. A delivery vehicle generally cannot transport more than 15 ounces of cannabis and 60 grams of concentrate at a time, and all orders must stay within Michigan’s purchase limits.
5. New Jersey
New Jersey’s Class 6 Delivery license allows businesses to pick up orders from licensed retailers and bring them to adult consumers, with conditional and annual licenses overseen by the Cannabis Regulatory Commission. State law requires deliveries to be made in person by certified cannabis handlers, not drones or other unmanned vehicles.
Municipalities can regulate where delivery companies set up but cannot ban the delivery of cannabis items into their borders, giving licensed services practical statewide reach. Customers must pre-order, present ID proving they are at least 21, and stay within New Jersey’s one-ounce-per-transaction recreational limit.
Why these laws matter
Across these states, patterns stand out: delivery is tied to state licensing, limited to private addresses, capped by purchase limits, and tightly monitored with GPS, manifests, and inventory ledgers. For operators, understanding the fine print is the difference between expanding a delivery channel and risking license violations. For consumers, knowing the rules keeps every order legal, safe, and less likely to bring unwanted trouble to the doorstep.
Note: Regulations are subject to change. For the most current information, consult state regulatory agencies or official state websites.