Whether cannabis is legal has been a topic of debate in the United States for years. As of April 24, 2023, 38 states, three territories, and the District of Columbia have allowed the medical use of cannabis products.
Additionally, as of June 1, 2023, 23 states, two territories, and the District of Columbia have enacted measures to regulate cannabis for non-medical adult use, according to data from our friends at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).
States where it is completely legal cannabis
Since 2012, 21 states have legalized the recreational use of cannabis: Colorado, Washington, Alaska, Oregon, Washington DC, California, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Michigan, Vermont, Guam, Illinois, Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, New Mexico, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland, Missouri, Delaware and Minnesota.
Newcomers to this list are Minnesota, Delaware, Rhode Island, Maryland and Missouri. These states have implemented regulatory systems to allow the cultivation, processing and sale of cannabis.
States that only allow the use of medical cannabis
There are 17 states that only allow the use of cannabis for medical purposes. Among them, Mississippi and Kentucky legalized medical marijuana in 2022, while Alabama and South Dakota did so in 2021.
States that allow medical use of cannabis include Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey , New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia.
Each of these states has its own regulations regarding the possession and acquisition of cannabis.
Some of these states only allow the use of “low THC, high cannabidiol (CBD)” products in limited situations or as a legal defense. Low THC programs are not considered full medical programs.
Marijuana and US Federal Laws
Cannabis legalization in the United States is an ever-evolving issue, with each state establishing its own laws and regulations.
Marijuana is considered a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Actmeaning it remains federally illegal to grow, sell, or use marijuana.
Although most states now allow some degree of cannabis use, there are still significant differences in state laws.
Therefore, it is crucial that potential users and suppliers familiarize themselves with local laws before engaging in any cannabis-related activity.
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