In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards the legalization of marijuana in the United States. As of 2021, a total of 36 states and the District of Columbia have legalized the use of medical marijuana, while 15 states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational use of marijuana. Let's take a closer look at the states where weed is legal and what this means for residents and visitors.
Medical Marijuana States
The following 36 states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana:
Alaska: In 1998, Alaska became the first state to legalize medical marijuana. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow up to six plants.
Arizona: Arizona legalized medical marijuana in 2010. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and grow up to 12 plants if they live more than 25 miles from a dispensary.
Arkansas: Arkansas legalized medical marijuana in 2016. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana every 14 days.
California: California legalized medical marijuana in 1996. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to eight ounces of marijuana and grow up to six plants.
Colorado: Colorado legalized medical marijuana in 2000. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to two ounces of marijuana and grow up to six plants.
Connecticut: Connecticut legalized medical marijuana in 2012. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana every 30 days.
Delaware: Delaware legalized medical marijuana in 2011. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to six ounces of marijuana.
Florida: Florida legalized medical marijuana in 2016. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to four ounces of marijuana and grow up to six plants.
Georgia: Georgia legalized medical marijuana in 2015. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to 20 ounces of low-THC cannabis oil.
Hawaii: Hawaii legalized medical marijuana in 2000. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to four ounces of marijuana and grow up to seven plants.
Illinois: Illinois legalized medical marijuana in 2013. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to two and a half ounces of marijuana every 14 days.
Louisiana: Louisiana legalized medical marijuana in 2015. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to one ounce of marijuana every 14 days.
Maine: Maine legalized medical marijuana in 1999. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and grow up to six plants.
Maryland: Maryland legalized medical marijuana in 2014. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to 120 grams of marijuana per month.
Massachusetts: Massachusetts legalized medical marijuana in 2012. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to a 60-day supply of marijuana.
Michigan: Michigan legalized medical marijuana in 2008. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and grow up to 12 plants.
Minnesota: Minnesota legalized medical marijuana in 2014. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to a 30-day supply of non-smokable marijuana.
Mississippi: Mississippi legalized medical marijuana in 2020. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana every 14 days.
Missouri: Missouri legalized medical marijuana in 2018. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to four ounces of marijuana per month.
Montana: Montana legalized medical marijuana in 2004. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow up to four plants.
Nevada: Nevada legalized medical marijuana in 2000. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and grow up to 12 plants if they live more than 25 miles from a dispensary.
New Hampshire: New Hampshire legalized medical marijuana in 2013. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to two ounces of marijuana and grow up to six plants.
New Jersey: New Jersey legalized medical marijuana in 2010. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to two ounces of marijuana per month.
New Mexico: New Mexico legalized medical marijuana in 2007. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to eight ounces of marijuana and grow up to 16 plants.
New York: New York legalized medical marijuana in 2014. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to a 30-day supply of non-smokable marijuana.
North Dakota: North Dakota legalized medical marijuana in 2016. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to three ounces of marijuana.
Ohio: Ohio legalized medical marijuana in 2016. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to a 90-day supply of marijuana.
Oklahoma: Oklahoma legalized medical marijuana in 2018. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to three ounces of marijuana and grow up to six plants.
Oregon: Oregon legalized medical marijuana in 1998. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to one pound of marijuana and grow up to six plants.
Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania legalized medical marijuana in 2016. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to a 30-day supply of marijuana.
Rhode Island: Rhode Island legalized medical marijuana in 2006. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to two and a half ounces of marijuana and grow up to 12 plants.
Utah: Utah legalized medical marijuana in 2018. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to two ounces of unprocessed marijuana or a marijuana product containing no more than 10 grams of THC.
Vermont: Vermont legalized medical marijuana in 2004. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to two ounces of marijuana and grow up to nine plants.
Virginia: Virginia legalized medical marijuana in 2018. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to a 90-day supply of marijuana.
Washington: Washington legalized medical marijuana in 1998. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to three ounces of marijuana and grow up to six plants.
West Virginia: West Virginia legalized medical marijuana in 2017. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess up to a 30-day supply of marijuana.
Wisconsin: Wisconsin legalized medical marijuana in 2014. Patients with a qualifying medical condition can possess CBD oil with less than 0.3% THC.
Recreational Marijuana States
The following 15 states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational marijuana:
Alaska: In 2014, Alaska became the third state to legalize recreational marijuana. Adults aged 21 and older can possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow up to six plants.
Arizona: Arizona legalized recreational marijuana in 2020. Adults aged 21 and older can possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow up to six plants.
California: California legalized recreational marijuana in 2016. Adults aged 21 and older can possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow up to six plants.
Colorado: Colorado legalized recreational marijuana in 2012. Adults aged 21 and older can possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow up to six plants.
Illinois: Illinois legalized recreational marijuana in 2019. Adults aged 21 and older can possess up to 30 grams of marijuana and grow up to five plants.
Maine: Maine legalized recreational marijuana in 2016. Adults aged 21 and older can possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and grow up to three flowering plants and 12 immature plants.
Massachusetts: Massachusetts legalized recreational marijuana in 2016. Adults aged 21 and older can possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow up to six plants.
Michigan: Michigan legalized recreational marijuana in 2018. Adults aged 21 and older can possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and grow up to 12 plants.
Montana: Montana legalized recreational marijuana in 2020. Adults aged 21 and older can possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow up to four plants.
Nevada: Nevada legalized recreational marijuana in 2016. Adults aged 21 and older can possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow up to six plants if they live more than 25 miles from a dispensary.
New Jersey: New Jersey legalized recreational marijuana in 2021. Adults aged 21 and older can possess up to six ounces of marijuana.
New Mexico: New Mexico legalized recreational marijuana in 2021. Adults aged 21 and older can possess up to two ounces of marijuana and grow up to six plants.
Oregon: Oregon legalized recreational marijuana in 2014. Adults aged 21 and older can possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow up to four plants.
Vermont: Vermont legalized recreational marijuana in 2018. Adults aged 21 and older can possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow up to two mature plants and four immature plants.
Washington: Washington legalized recreational marijuana in 2012. Adults aged 21 and older can possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow up to six plants.
It's important to note that even in states where marijuana is legal, there are still restrictions on where and how it can be consumed. It's also important to be aware of federal laws, which still classify marijuana as a Schedule I drug and therefore illegal under federal law.
Conclusion
The legalization of marijuana in the United States has been a slow but steady process, with more and more states legalizing both medical and recreational use. While there are still restrictions and federal laws to be aware of, the increasing number of states where marijuana is legal is a sign of changing attitudes towards the drug.