Do Dispensaries Track How Much You Buy in Los Angeles?
Do Dispensaries Track How Much You Buy in Los Angeles?
As California’s legal cannabis industry continues to expand, many shoppers—especially first-time or out-of-town customers—wonder:
“Do dispensaries track how much I buy?”
The short answer is: yes, but only to a certain extent. Dispensaries in Los Angeles, and throughout California, are required by state law to follow strict compliance protocols, including purchase tracking to ensure customers stay within daily legal limits.
In this blog, we’ll break down why and how dispensaries track purchases, what it means for you as a buyer, and how it works at licensed shops like Green Dragon Dispensary.
Why Do Dispensaries Track Purchases?
Licensed dispensaries in California must follow the rules outlined in Proposition 64, which legalized adult-use cannabis. To comply with daily purchasing limits, dispensaries are required to track sales in real-time and report them through a statewide system called METRC (Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting Compliance).
These limits include:
28.5 grams of flower per day (just over an ounce)
8 grams of cannabis concentrates (includes vapes, wax, etc.)
6 immature plants for personal cultivation
By logging every sale, dispensaries help prevent “looping”—when someone tries to visit multiple dispensaries to buy over the legal limit in one day.
Do Dispensaries Know What I Bought at Other Shops?
Not exactly. While each licensed dispensary tracks what you purchase at their location, they don’t have access to your purchases at other dispensaries.
However, all dispensaries report their sales to METRC, the state’s centralized system. While this doesn’t create a personal “purchase profile” across multiple locations, it does flag large or suspicious purchases for regulators.
For example, if someone buys the maximum limit at multiple locations in a short period, they could draw attention from state oversight agencies.
Do I Need to Show ID Every Time?
Yes. In Los Angeles and across California, valid government-issued photo ID is required every time you shop at a dispensary—no exceptions. This applies to both recreational (21+) and medical (18+) customers.
Your ID is used to:
Verify your age and eligibility
Log you into the dispensary system so they can track your purchases for that visit
At Green Dragon, your ID is scanned securely to protect your privacy while helping us stay compliant with California regulations.
Is My Data Private?
Absolutely. Licensed dispensaries like Green Dragon do not share or sell your personal information. The customer data collected is used solely for compliance, age verification, and internal record keeping. It is not connected to your name in METRC, nor is it shared with outside parties without legal obligation.
You can shop confidently knowing your privacy is protected.
How Does Green Dragon Track Purchases?
At Green Dragon, we use a secure, state-compliant point-of-sale system that automatically tracks:
How much cannabis (in grams/mg) you purchase
Product types (flower, edibles, vapes, etc.)
Your order total and the date/time of sale
This system ensures:
You stay within your daily legal limit
We comply with California law
You enjoy a smooth, no-hassle shopping experience
Whether you’re shopping at our North Hollywood or Coachella Valley location, we make sure everything is above board, secure, and easy.
Final Thoughts: Stay Legal, Stay Informed
So, do dispensaries track how much you buy in Los Angeles?
Yes, but it’s for your benefit and the industry's protection. Purchase tracking ensures fair access, legal compliance, and consumer safety across the board.
At Green Dragon, we’re here to help you navigate California cannabis law without stress. If you have questions about what or how much you can buy—just ask our expert team. We're here to guide you every step of the way.
💚 Shop responsibly. Stay informed. Visit Green Dragon Dispensary today.
