2025 Guide: States Where Cannabis Is Legal in the U.S.

States Where Recreational Marijuana is Legal

Recreational marijuana is snowballing and has been responsible for crime reduction and increased wealth for several states.

Residents 21 or older who live in states with progressive recreational use laws can visit a dispensary and purchase flowers, pre-rolled joints, hash, concentrates, edibles, and other cannabis products simply by producing an ID.

Visitors to these states can also purchase and consume recreational cannabis, which has led to what many call a “pot holiday.”

Most of these states discourage the consumption of cannabis in public, meaning that residents can’t simply light up a joint outside the way one might smoke a cigarette.

Although these states have passed laws where recreational marijuana is legal, most states also do not allow the possession of vast amounts of marijuana without a dispensary license. So don’t run out and buy marijuana seeds online until you review your state’s laws.

States That Have Legalized Recreational Marijuana

• Alaska
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Illinois
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• Washing D.C.

*Updated July 2024

Where is Medical Cannabis Legal?

Cannabis is helpful for several conditions, including cancer, chronic pain, headaches, anxiety, insomnia, anorexia, glaucoma, and more.

Over half the country has legalized medical cannabis because the evidence of high efficacy and low risk is too powerful to ignore.

Often, patients will be able to reduce or eliminate their use of prescription medication that can be addictive or produce unpleasant side effects by using medical marijuana.

Residents of states that allow the sale of medical cannabis must visit a physician and obtain a prescription.

They must present this prescription and their ID at a medical dispensary. In some states, patients or their caregivers can grow a small number of cannabis plants for medical use.

States That Have Legalized Medical Cannabis

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

*Updated July 2024

Medical CBD

Researchers have discovered many health benefits without the “high.” With advanced technology, THC can be separated from cannabidiol (CBD) and used for many applications.

Only a very minute amount of THC is left in the extract, usually added to an oil mixture to produce CBD oil in varying strengths. CBD oil can help with many of the same ailments that medical cannabis provides relief for. However, most people report that CBD oil’s effects are much more subtle, and it takes longer to notice the results.

Users in these states can purchase CBD oil at tobacco stores, health food stores, or online.

States That Have Fully Legalized Medical CBD

• Alabama
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kentucky
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

*Updated July 2024

Decriminalized States

Some states have decriminalized marijuana, especially in cases where an individual was found to have a small amount for personal use.

Some of these states have legalized medical cannabis, while others have made no move to provide marijuana to their residents.

Residents of these states may only be ticketed for possessing a small amount of marijuana for personal use, or a small fine may be imposed.

Always check your State’s local laws. If possession of larger quantities or possession intended for sale is not decriminalized, the State may impose severe legal repercussions.

States That Have Decriminalized Marijuana

• Alaska
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington

*Updated July 2024

States Waiting Until the Last Minute

Legalizing cannabis in all forms is inevitable, but even though in many states where marijuana is legal, a few states are waiting until the last minute. Some states allow no legal THC, meaning that only CBD is available.

Three states have no progressive cannabis laws at all. In these states, both recreational and medical users face legal consequences, which may be severe, if they are found to have any amount of marijuana containing THC, including flower, hash, concentrates, edibles, and other cannabis products.

Even small amounts of marijuana for personal use are penalized harshly in these states, especially for second or third offenses.

States Where Cannabis is Fully Illegal

• Idaho
• Nebraska

*Updated July 2024

Final Thoughts on Where Marijuana Is Legal

It won’t be long before every state has legalized cannabis for recreational and medicinal use, and pot laws that place people in prison for personal use are a thing of the past.

Graph and research by Pew Research Center

As of this article, there are clear partisan divides on the impact of legalizing marijuana for recreational use. As reported by Pew Research Center, Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents tend to view legalization more favorably than Republicans and their leaners.

Democrats’ Views:

• 64% believe legalizing recreational marijuana benefits local economies.
• 58% think it makes the criminal justice system fairer.

Republicans’ Views:

• Only 41% see a positive effect on local economies from legalization.
• Just 27% believe it improves the fairness of the criminal justice system.

Republicans Cite More Downsides:

• 42% of Republicans say legalization increases the use of other drugs, like heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine, compared to just 17% of Democrats.
• 48% of Republicans believe it makes communities less safe, more than double the 21% of Democrats who share this view.

Like alcohol prohibition, marijuana prohibition won’t last. Until every state makes marijuana legal, it’s essential to be aware of your state’s laws and what is and isn’t legal regarding cannabis consumption.

Don’t worry; it’s only a matter of time before marijuana is legal in all states within the U.S., and you will be free to indulge as quickly as you can with tobacco and alcohol as long as you are over 21…of course.

But until then, unless you move, it’s better to wait until marijuana is legal in your state, or you may suffer consequences you would not have if you had just been patient.

We got to run; it’s almost 4:20!