Comprehensive Guide to Cannabis Legality by State

Cannabis laws in the United States are complex and vary widely from state to state. This guide provides an overview of the legal status of cannabis across all 50 states, detailing whether it’s legal for recreational use, medicinal use, or completely prohibited.

1. Alabama

• Recreational: Illegal
• Medical: Legal with a prescription (Limited)
• Details: Alabama has a limited medical program, allowing the use of low-THC cannabis oil for specific medical conditions.

2. Alaska

• Recreational: Legal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: Alaska legalized recreational use in 2014. Adults can possess up to one ounce and grow up to six plants.

3. Arizona

• Recreational: Legal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: Voters passed Proposition 207 in 2020, allowing adults 21+ to possess up to one ounce and cultivate up to six plants.

4. Arkansas

• Recreational: Illegal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: Arkansas has a medical cannabis program. Patients must apply for a medical marijuana card.

5. California

• Recreational: Legal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: California was the first state to legalize medical cannabis in 1996 and recreational use in 2016.

6. Colorado

• Recreational: Legal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: Colorado legalized recreational cannabis in 2012. Adults can possess up to one ounce and grow up to six plants.

7. Connecticut

• Recreational: Legal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: Connecticut legalized recreational use in 2021. Adults can possess up to 1.5 ounces and grow four plants.

8. Delaware

• Recreational: Illegal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: Delaware has a medical cannabis program but has yet to legalize recreational use.

9. Florida

• Recreational: Illegal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: Florida allows medical cannabis use with a prescription. Recreational use remains prohibited.

10. Georgia

• Recreational: Illegal
• Medical: Legal (Limited)
• Details: Georgia allows low-THC oil for certain medical conditions, but the sale of cannabis is still illegal.

11. Hawaii

• Recreational: Legal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: Hawaii legalized medical cannabis in 2000 and recreational use in 2020. Patients can cultivate their own plants.

12. Idaho

• Recreational: Illegal
• Medical: Illegal
• Details: Idaho has no legal cannabis programs, and possession is considered a crime.

13. Illinois

• Recreational: Legal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: Illinois legalized recreational use in 2019. Adults can possess up to 30 grams.

14. Indiana

• Recreational: Illegal
• Medical: Illegal
• Details: Indiana has strict cannabis laws, with no legal medical or recreational cannabis programs.

15. Iowa

• Recreational: Illegal
• Medical: Legal (Limited)
• Details: Iowa allows medical cannabis with a prescription, but the program is restrictive.

16. Kansas

• Recreational: Illegal
• Medical: Illegal
• Details: Kansas has no legal cannabis programs, and possession is strictly prohibited.

17. Kentucky

• Recreational: Illegal
• Medical: Legal (Limited)
• Details: Kentucky has a limited medical cannabis program allowing certain low-THC products.

18. Louisiana

• Recreational: Illegal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: Louisiana allows medical cannabis with a prescription, but recreational use remains illegal.

19. Maine

• Recreational: Legal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: Maine legalized recreational use in 2016. Adults can possess up to 2.5 ounces.

20. Maryland

• Recreational: Legal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: Maryland legalized recreational use in 2023. Medical use has been legal since 2014.

21. Massachusetts

• Recreational: Legal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: Massachusetts legalized recreational use in 2016. Adults can possess up to one ounce.

22. Michigan

• Recreational: Legal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: Michigan legalized recreational cannabis in 2018. Adults can possess up to 2.5 ounces.

23. Minnesota

• Recreational: Legal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: Minnesota legalized recreational cannabis in 2023. Medical use has been permitted since 2014.

24. Mississippi

• Recreational: Illegal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: Mississippi has a medical cannabis program, but recreational use remains illegal.

25. Missouri

• Recreational: Legal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: Missouri legalized recreational use in 2022. Adults can possess up to three ounces.

26. Montana

• Recreational: Legal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: Montana legalized recreational use in 2020. Adults can possess up to one ounce.

27. Nebraska

• Recreational: Illegal
• Medical: Illegal
• Details: Nebraska has strict laws against cannabis, with no legal medical or recreational use.

28. Nevada

• Recreational: Legal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: Nevada legalized recreational cannabis in 2016. Adults can possess up to one ounce.

29. New Hampshire

• Recreational: Illegal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: New Hampshire has a medical cannabis program, but recreational use is not permitted.

30. New Jersey

• Recreational: Legal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: New Jersey legalized recreational use in 2021. Adults can possess up to six ounces.

31. New Mexico

• Recreational: Legal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: New Mexico legalized recreational cannabis in 2021. Adults can possess up to two ounces.

32. New York

• Recreational: Legal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: New York legalized recreational cannabis in 2021. Adults can possess up to three ounces.

33. North Carolina

• Recreational: Illegal
• Medical: Illegal
• Details: North Carolina has strict cannabis laws, with no legal programs for medical or recreational use.

34. North Dakota

• Recreational: Illegal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: North Dakota allows medical cannabis, but recreational use remains prohibited.

35. Ohio

• Recreational: legal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: As of November 2023, Ohio has Legalized Medical and Recreational Cannabis Use

36. Oklahoma

• Recreational: Illegal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: Oklahoma has one of the most liberal medical programs, but recreational use is not yet legalized.

37. Oregon

• Recreational: Legal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: Oregon legalized recreational cannabis in 2014. Adults can possess up to one ounce.

38. Pennsylvania

• Recreational: Illegal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: Pennsylvania allows medical cannabis but has not legalized recreational use.

39. Rhode Island

• Recreational: Legal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: Rhode Island legalized recreational use in 2022. Adults can possess up to one ounce.

40. South Carolina

• Recreational: Illegal
• Medical: Illegal
• Details: South Carolina has strict cannabis laws, with no legal programs for medical or recreational use.

41. South Dakota

• Recreational: Legal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: South Dakota legalized recreational use in 2020, alongside a medical program.

42. Tennessee

• Recreational: Illegal
• Medical: Limited
• Details: Tennessee allows low-THC products for medical use, but recreational use is illegal.

43. Texas

• Recreational: Illegal
• Medical: Limited
• Details: Texas allows low-THC medical cannabis but has not legalized recreational use.

44. Utah

• Recreational: Illegal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: Utah has a medical cannabis program, but recreational use remains prohibited.

45. Vermont

• Recreational: Legal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: Vermont legalized recreational use in 2018. Adults can possess up to one ounce.

46. Virginia

• Recreational: Legal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: Virginia legalized recreational use in 2021. Adults can possess up to one ounce.

47. Washington

• Recreational: Legal
• Medical: Legal
• Details: West Virginia has a medical cannabis program established in 2017, allowing patients with qualifying conditions to obtain a medical card. Recreational use remains illegal.

• 47. West Virginia

  • Recreational: Illegal
  • Medical: Legal
  • Details: Washington legalized recreational cannabis in 2012. Adults can possess up to one ounce

• 49. Wisconsin

  • Recreational: Illegal
  • Medical: Limited
  • Details: Wisconsin has very limited medical cannabis laws, allowing only low-THC products. Recreational use is not permitted.

  50. Wyoming

  • Recreational: Illegal
  • Medical: Limited
  • Details: Wyoming has a limited medical cannabis program allowing low-THC oil for specific conditions. Recreational use is illegal.

   

  Conclusion

  Navigating the legal status of cannabis can be complex, given the varying laws across the United States. While some states have embraced both medical and recreational cannabis, others maintain strict prohibitions. Always check your local laws to ensure compliance and stay informed about potential changes, as cannabis legislation is evolving rapidly.