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Your comprehensive guide to San Jose's thriving cannabis scene, from downtown dispensaries to South Bay delivery services
San Jose’s cannabis landscape has evolved dramatically since California legalized recreational marijuana, with the city now hosting over 30 licensed dispensaries serving both medical and recreational customers. Whether you’re a Silicon Valley professional seeking premium flower or a budget-conscious shopper looking for the best deals, San Jose’s diverse retail scene has something for everyone. Before you visit, explore Herb’s Dispensary Directory to find verified locations, current deals, and local offerings in your area.
Purple Lotus brings family-owned expertise to San Jose’s bustling downtown district, operating since 2010 with a newest location that opened in May 2024. This dispensary caters to SJSU students, business professionals, and tourists alike, offering convenient access near VTA light rail and just 7 minutes from SJC Airport.
The downtown location maintains Purple Lotus’s reputation for quality while providing the accessibility that downtown shoppers demand, with the added benefit of same-day delivery throughout the Bay Area.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Travelers and tourists, downtown residents and workers, customers seeking both in-store and delivery options, those wanting a family-owned dispensary with deep community roots
Location & Hours:
Harborside represents California cannabis history, operating since 2006 as one of the state’s oldest dispensaries. Their San Jose location maintains the brand’s reputation for extensive inventory and reliable service, serving the downtown and North San Jose communities with one of the market’s longest operating hours.
This dispensary appeals to customers who value institutional knowledge and consistent product availability, with a wide selection that caters to both new and experienced cannabis consumers.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Early risers and night owls, customers who appreciate cannabis industry history, shoppers seeking extensive product variety, those wanting convenient online ordering options
Location & Hours:
Caliva offers a boutique retail experience in downtown San Jose, combining premium house-brand products with personalized consultations in a clean, modern atmosphere. This dispensary attracts customers seeking quality over quantity, with knowledgeable budtenders who take time to understand individual preferences and needs.
Caliva’s emphasis on education and personalized service makes it ideal for both first-time customers and experienced users looking to explore new products or refine their selections.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Quality-focused shoppers, first-time dispensary visitors seeking guidance, customers interested in premium house brands, those wanting a modern, professional retail experience
Location & Hours:
Elemental Wellness creates a spa-like atmosphere in North San Jose, operating since 2009 with a focus on wellness-oriented cannabis products. Their Timothy Drive location serves Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Campbell with premium flower, edibles, topicals, and wellness products in a relaxing environment.
This dispensary stands out for its unique ambiance and customer-focused promotions, including nighttime discounts that reward late shoppers and early risers.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Wellness-oriented consumers, customers seeking a relaxing shopping environment, late-night and early-morning shoppers, those wanting access to topicals and wellness-focused cannabis products
Location & Hours:
Theraleaf positions itself as San Jose’s best-priced dispensary, backed by an impressive 7,984 Weedmaps reviews and a 4.8/5 star rating. Located conveniently near major freeways (101, 130, 280, 680, 880), this dispensary appeals to budget-conscious shoppers without sacrificing product quality or selection.
Theraleaf’s value proposition centers on competitive pricing combined with daily deals and customer rewards, making it a popular choice for regular cannabis consumers.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Budget-conscious shoppers, customers seeking the best value, regular cannabis consumers, those wanting convenient freeway access and fast pickup
Location & Hours:
Purple Lotus flagship location on Commercial Street represents the original family-owned dispensary that has served San Jose since 2010. This spacious facility offers the same quality and service as the downtown location but with the added benefit of ample free parking and expert consultation areas.
The Commercial Street location serves as Purple Lotus’s main hub, featuring extensive product displays and educational resources that help customers make informed decisions.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Customers preferring the original location, those needing ample parking, shoppers wanting extensive product displays to browse, customers seeking educational resources about cannabis
Location & Hours:
Airfield Supply Company delivers a full-service boutique retail experience on Coleman Avenue, focusing on the highest quality cannabis products across all categories. This dispensary attracts discerning customers who prioritize product quality and expert service over price considerations.
Airfield’s emphasis on premium products and personalized service creates a shopping experience that justifies its positioning in the competitive North San Jose market.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Quality-focused consumers, customers seeking boutique retail experiences, those wanting personalized service, shoppers looking for premium products across all categories
Location & Hours:
HAZE flagship location on Almaden Road stands as San Jose’s massive inventory leader, offering an extensive selection of premium brands including 710 Labs, Raw Garden, Humboldt Terp Council, and Jetty. This dispensary caters to experienced cannabis consumers who appreciate top-shelf strains and early opening hours.
HAZE’s Almaden location serves as their delivery hub (delivery only available from this location) and showcases their commitment to premium genetics and concentrate selection.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Experienced cannabis consumers, concentrate enthusiasts, early morning shoppers, customers seeking premium brand selections, those wanting delivery options
Location & Hours:
Canna Culture represents San Jose’s independent dispensary scene, operating continuously since 2011 without ever closing or relocating. Located off CA-87 and Capitol Expressway, this dispensary emphasizes community roots and consistent service with full-spectrum lab-tested THC and CBD products.
Canna Culture’s longevity and community focus appeal to customers who value independent ownership and consistent quality over corporate retail experiences.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Customers supporting independent businesses, those wanting free local delivery, community-focused shoppers, customers needing ADA accessible facilities
Location & Hours:
White Fire holds San Jose’s highest customer rating at 4.9/5 stars from 4,129 Weedmaps reviews, making it the city’s most acclaimed dispensary. Located off Curtner and Monterey near highways 87 & 101, this dispensary combines professional staff with top-shelf strains and wide product selection.
White Fire’s exceptional rating reflects consistent customer satisfaction with both product quality and service experience, setting the standard for San Jose dispensaries.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Quality-focused customers, those seeking the highest-rated dispensary experience, shoppers wanting professional staff guidance, customers looking for top-shelf genetics
Location & Hours:
DELI by Caliva offers an elevated cannabis experience separate from the main Caliva location, featuring a modern, curated retail space with personalized consultations. Customer reviews specifically mention staff members Stephano, Madeline, and Joey for their exceptional service, creating a relaxed, informative shopping environment.
This dispensary caters to customers seeking a more intimate, personalized experience compared to larger retail environments, with a focus on customer education and satisfaction.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Customers seeking personalized service, those wanting an intimate retail experience, shoppers looking for expert staff guidance, customers interested in understanding product differences
Location & Hours:
Exotix brings outlet pricing to the South Bay market, claiming “unbeatable pricing” with a 4.8/5 star rating from 452 Weedmaps reviews. Located in the Little Orchard Business Park, this dispensary offers rare cannabis strains and high-grade edibles and concentrates at competitive prices.
Exotix’s value proposition centers on outlet pricing combined with quality products, enhanced by their popular “50% off Tuesdays” promotion that attracts budget-conscious shoppers.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Budget-conscious shoppers, customers seeking rare strains, Tuesday deal hunters, those wanting quality products at outlet prices
Location & Hours:
HAZE second location on Saratoga Avenue serves West San Jose customers with the same premium product selection as their Almaden flagship, earning an exceptional 4.9/5 star rating from 117 Weedmaps reviews. This location operates as retail-only (no delivery service) but maintains the same early opening hours and quality standards.
HAZE’s Saratoga location fills a gap in West San Jose’s dispensary coverage, providing convenient access to premium cannabis products for residents in this upscale area.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: West San Jose residents, customers seeking consistent HAZE quality, morning shoppers, those wanting premium products in an underserved area
Location & Hours:
10th Street Cannabis Co. serves East San Jose with a welcoming environment and community focus, earning a 4.8/5 star rating from 1,238 Weedmaps reviews. This dispensary emphasizes wellness-focused products and supports the local Black community, offering quality cannabis at great prices with curbside pickup convenience.
10th Street Cannabis creates an inclusive shopping experience that appeals to East San Jose’s diverse community while maintaining high product standards and customer service.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: East San Jose residents, customers seeking community-focused businesses, wellness-oriented shoppers, those wanting inclusive, welcoming service
Location & Hours:
Urbn Leaf brings corporate retail experience to East San Jose as part of a multi-location California chain, offering modern retail design and wide product selection. Note: Hours conflict between sources – call ahead to verify current operating hours before visiting.
This dispensary represents the corporate retail model in San Jose’s diverse market, providing consistent service and product selection as part of a larger brand network.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Customers preferring corporate retail consistency, those wanting modern retail design, shoppers seeking wide product selection, customers comfortable with chain dispensary model
Location & Hours:
Adults must be 21 years or older to purchase recreational cannabis in San Jose, while medical marijuana patients can be 18+ with a valid physician’s recommendation. All customers must present valid government-issued identification to verify age and identity before making a purchase. For more information about cannabis laws and regulations, read our cannabis legalization guides.
Yes, medical marijuana cards are accepted at all San Jose dispensaries that serve both medical and recreational customers. Medical patients enjoy several benefits including lower taxes (exemption from the 15% recreational excise tax), higher purchase limits (up to 8 ounces of flower versus 1 ounce for recreational users), and access to products with higher THC concentrations. Medical patients must be at least 18 years old with a valid physician’s recommendation.
Recreational users in San Jose can legally possess up to 28.5 grams (1 ounce) of cannabis flower and 8 grams of concentrated cannabis. Medical marijuana patients with valid recommendations can possess up to 8 ounces of flower and higher quantities of concentrates as recommended by their physician. These limits apply to what you can carry on your person at any given time, not what you can purchase or store at home.
Yes, San Jose has extensive cannabis delivery options including dispensary-based delivery from Purple Lotus, Elemental Wellness, Canna Culture, Harborside, and HAZE (from their Almaden location only), plus dedicated delivery services like Top Shelf Express, Three Trees Weed Delivery, and Smokeland. Most delivery services require a minimum order of $50 and serve the greater Bay Area including San Jose, Fremont, Oakland, San Francisco, and surrounding communities. For current delivery deals and options, check Herb’s Dispensary Directory.
Most San Jose dispensaries accept cash and debit cards, with many locations featuring on-site ATMs for customer convenience. Due to federal banking regulations, credit card acceptance is limited, though some dispensaries are beginning to implement cashless payment solutions through third-party processors. It’s always advisable to call ahead or check the dispensary’s website to confirm their current payment options before visiting.
No, cannabis consumption is prohibited in all public spaces in San Jose, including streets, parks, sidewalks, and within 600 feet of schools and daycare centers. Consumption is only legal in private residences with the property owner’s permission. Unlike some California cities that have implemented cannabis consumption lounges under AB 1775, San Jose has not yet established licensed consumption areas, meaning all cannabis use must occur in private settings. For more information about responsible consumption practices, sign up for the HERB INSIDER newsletter to stay updated on local regulations and best practices.
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