From tomorrow, adults in the American state will be able to get the drug from shops offering everything from ready-rolled joints to cannabis-infused cookies and brownies.
Major Hollywood stars such as Whoopi Goldberg, Woody Harrelson and Charlie Sheen have been cashing in by investing in marijuana-related enterprises.
More than 4,500 retailers are expected to set up in the state by the end of 2018, raising £3.7billion a year in tax revenue.
“Pot coach tours” are already being offered, driving tourists between growers in the same way wine buffs visit the Napa Valley vineyards. Previously, only cannabis used for medical purposes was legal.
The state will now treat the drug like alcohol, allowing adults to possess up to an ounce and grow up to six dope plants.
California is one of 29 US states, and by far the largest, where cannabis is legal, either for medical or recreational purposes or both.
Critics fear the easy availability of pot will lead to a huge increase in abuse and addiction and are furious there is no legislation at all to cover “stoned-driving” as there is for drunk-driving.
