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Where is Marijuana Legal in the United States?
States in which recreational marijuana and medical marijuana are legal.
The decriminalization and legalization of marijuana for recreational and medical use have been spreading like wildfire across the United States. Almost 70% of Americans now support marijuana legalization, and states are working hard to keep up.
Here’s our list of which states have passed laws where marijuana is legal, which have decriminalized cannabis, and which states will be the last to cross the finish line.
Table of Contents
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 that live in states with progressive recreational use laws can visit a dispensary and purchase flower, 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.
Disclaimer: No legal advice or opinion is offered; this information is only available for educational purposes. The use of the information provided herein is solely the responsibility of the reader. To determine their legal rights, employers or employees should consult an attorney or a designated representative of the relevant regulatory body.
States That Have Legalized Recreational Marijuana
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Illinois
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
*Updated November 2022
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.
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Washington
*Updated November 2022
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 take longer to notice the results.
Users in these states can purchase CBD oil at tobacco stores, health food stores, or online.
States That Have Legalized Medical CBD Oil
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Wisconsin
*Updated November 2022
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. The State may apply severe legal repercussions if possession of larger quantities or possession intended for sale is not decriminalized.
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 November 2022
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
- Kansas
- Nebraska
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Wyoming
*Updated November 2022
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.
U.S. Support for legalizing marijuana, 1969-2021. Graph courtesy of Gallop
Currently, most of the republicans in office support cannabis being legal in the United States. A recent Gallup poll revealed that most Americans (68%) support the legalization of marijuana, a record high since being polled in 1969.
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.
Thank you for reading our article Where is Marijuana Legal in the United States?
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