Riverside has 8 dispensaries licensed by the California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC). Adults 21 and older with a valid government photo ID can buy, including visitors and UC Riverside students who are 21, and every Riverside license in our directory also allows medicinal sales to patients 18 and older. The City of Riverside banned storefront retail for years and only voted to allow it in 2023.
Riverside is the county seat and the biggest city in the Inland Empire, yet it has a shorter dispensary list than smaller neighbors like Moreno Valley. That is because the city council did not reverse its retail ban until February 28, 2023, when it voted 5 to 2 to create a permit program capped at 14 storefront stores.
All 8 Licensed Dispensaries in Riverside, CA
Riverside's stores sit in three areas: University Avenue and the 92507 ZIP code east of downtown, La Cadena Drive in 92501 on the north side, and the long Magnolia Avenue and Van Buren Boulevard corridors to the southwest.
University Avenue and 92507: Embarc Riverside on University Avenue and Stiiizy Riverside are both on University Avenue, the road that leads to the UC Riverside campus. In the same ZIP code, Plant Galaxy is on Center Street and The Artist Tree Iva is on Iowa Avenue.
La Cadena Drive (92501): Cake House Riverside and The Syndicate Riverside are neighbors on La Cadena Drive.
Magnolia Avenue and Van Buren Boulevard: Embarc Dispensary is on Magnolia Avenue and Stiiizy Arlington is on Van Buren Boulevard. These two and the University Avenue pair were among the preferred locations in the city's permit program.
Best Riverside Dispensaries for Every Need
Based on public Google ratings and hours, checked October 2026:
- Highest rated: Plant Galaxy (4.9 stars, about 1,750 reviews), Cake House Riverside (4.9, about 220), Embarc on University Avenue (4.8, about 110), The Syndicate (4.7, about 340) and Embarc on Magnolia (4.6, about 275).
- Most reviewed: Plant Galaxy, with more reviews than any other Riverside store by far.
- Open earliest: Cake House Riverside opens at 6 a.m. and Plant Galaxy at 7 a.m.
- Open until 10 p.m.: Plant Galaxy and The Syndicate. Cake House closes at 9:55 p.m.
Visiting a Dispensary in Riverside: ID, Payment and Hours
- ID: Bring a valid, unexpired government photo ID showing you are 21 or older. Out-of-state driver's licenses and passports are accepted.
- Hours: State rules allow sales from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Embarc and Stiiizy stores open at 9 a.m.
- Payment: Cash works everywhere and many stores take debit. Credit cards are rarely accepted.
Riverside and California Cannabis Laws: Purchase Limits, Public Use and Driving
Adults 21 and older can buy up to 28.5 grams of non-concentrated cannabis, 8 grams of concentrate and 6 immature plants per day. See our California marijuana laws guide for possession, home grow and penalties.
- City rules: Riverside's program allows storefront retail with or without delivery. Delivery-only businesses, microbusinesses and cultivation are not permitted in the city, and storefronts must be at least 1,000 feet from schools.
- Public use: Smoking downtown, in parks such as Mount Rubidoux, on sidewalks or anywhere open to the public is an infraction with a fine of up to $100.
- Driving: It is illegal to smoke or ingest cannabis while driving or riding in a vehicle, or to keep an open package in the passenger area.
Cannabis Taxes in Riverside
Every purchase includes California's 15% cannabis excise tax plus state and local sales tax. In March 2024 the city put Measure B on the ballot, a cannabis business tax of up to 10% of gross receipts with the actual rate set by the city council. We could not confirm the outcome or a current rate from an official source, so we do not list one. Local taxes vary, and your receipt shows every tax charged. Our cannabis prices by state report has comparisons.
Medical Marijuana in Riverside
All 8 Riverside licenses allow medicinal sales. Patients 18 and older need a recommendation from a California physician, and a state MMIC card removes sales and use tax, but not the excise tax.
Dispensaries Near Riverside
- Dispensaries in Moreno Valley: 13 stores just east on Highway 60.
- Dispensaries in San Bernardino: 14 stores north on Interstate 215.
- Dispensaries in Corona: 10 stores southwest on Highway 91.
- Dispensaries in Perris: 7 stores south on Interstate 215.
Browse every city on our California dispensary directory.
Riverside Dispensary FAQ
Is weed legal in Riverside?
Yes. Adults 21 and older can buy at licensed stores and use cannabis on private property where the owner allows it.
Does Riverside allow dispensaries now?
Yes. The city council ended its storefront ban in 2023 and created a permit program for up to 14 stores.
How many dispensaries are in Riverside?
Our directory lists 8 DCC licenses with a Riverside address.
Can tourists buy weed in Riverside?
Yes. Visitors 21 and older can buy with an out-of-state driver's license or a passport.
What time do dispensaries close in Riverside?
Plant Galaxy and The Syndicate close at 10 p.m. The Embarc stores close at 9 p.m. and the Stiiizy stores at 8:45 p.m.
Do Riverside dispensaries take cards?
Most accept cash and debit. Credit cards are rarely accepted.
How much weed can I buy in Riverside?
Up to 28.5 grams of flower, 8 grams of concentrate and 6 immature plants per day.
Where can I smoke weed in Riverside?
Only on private property where the owner allows it. Parks, trails and sidewalks are off limits.
Can I get weed delivered in Riverside?
Yes. Licensed delivery is legal in California between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., and city-permitted storefronts may deliver.
What is the best dispensary in Riverside?
Plant Galaxy has 4.9 stars on about 1,750 Google reviews. See our ratings list above for more.
Is there a dispensary near UC Riverside?
Yes. Two stores are on University Avenue, the road that leads to campus. You must be 21 to buy without a medical recommendation.
Does your dispensary need more visibility? Cannabis shoppers use The Weed Street Journal to compare stores, read strain guides and check the law before they buy. Advertise with us · Spotted a wrong address, phone number or hours? Tell us and we will fix it free.
How we build this list: Store names, addresses, license numbers and medicinal designations come from the California Department of Cannabis Control's license list. Ratings, review counts and hours come from public Google Maps data. We refresh the list monthly and remove stores whose licenses are no longer active.