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Where is Weed legal in the United States?

Weed is currently illegal in the United States at a federal level; however, since 2013, the enforcement has been left to the states provided the individual is compliant with state regulations.

Brian I.B. Sekandi

• 14 min read
Where is Weed legal in the United States?
Photo by Simon Schwyter / Unsplash

Cannabis laws are rapidly changing, and access to cannabis, weed, marijuana or grandpas spice will depend on which state and territory you live and work in. The change in regulations and the pending federal legalization of weed are creating robust economic opportunities to revitalize old buildings, factories, neighbourhoods, and neglected infrastructure in working towns and cities all across America.

Weed is currently illegal in the United States at a federal level; however, since 2013, the enforcement has been left to the states provided the individual is compliant with state regulations. Since then, Presidents have enforced federal law against marijuana, focusing on organized crime and firearm-related offences.

Currently, 32 states and the District of Columbia have decriminalized low-level cannabis offences, with jail time being replaced with fines in civil court for first-time offenders.

Weed is currently legal for adult use in 19 states, Washington, D.C., and Guam. And medically regulated in 36 states and Washington, D.C., with Mississippi presently reviewing changes to the state constitution to allow for medical cannabis across all four congressional districts.

Cannabidiol CBD and extracts are permissible in all states with strict limitations on the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol THC in the 14 non-medical and adult-use states.

The Adult-Use States and District

Alaska

Scenic views all along the way in NZ
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Medical marijuana has been regulated in Alaska since 1999 with strict individual possession and cultivation limits. Cannabis is permissible for medical use approved by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. In 2014, Alaskans passed a ballot measure to legalize adult use of weed, with an age requirement of 21+ and sold in state-licensed dispensaries.

Marijuana is regulated by the Alaska Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office. Adults can use up to 1 ounce at a time and grow six plants with no more than three mature plants.

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Arizona

Walking down the Wildcat trail in Monument Valley opens up this magnificent view to everyone. Amazing weather and good light helped us with this picture.
Photo by Ganapathy Kumar / Unsplash

‌Medical marijuana was approved in Arizona in 2010, with possession limits set at 2.5 ounces and up to 12 plants. Medical cannabis was approved for only a limited set of approved medical conditions. In 2020, adult use of marijuana was regulated, with sales beginning in March 2021. Currently, you can legally possess up to 1 ounce of cannabis and up to 6 plants per person or 12 plants per household for adults over the age of 21.

Marijuana is regulated in Arizona by the Arizona Department of Health Services

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California

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Medical marijuana has been legal in California since 1996 after the successful passing of ballot proposition 215. Medical marijuana laws allow a patient to possess up to 8 ounces and grow 6 mature plants or 12 immature plants. The California Department of Public Health regulates medical cannabis.

Adult-use marijuana in California was approved in 2016, with adults over 21 years of age can possess up to 1 ounce of cannabis and grow up to 6 plants. The Department of Cannabis Control California regulates marijuana

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Colorado

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Medical marijuana was approved in Colorado in 2000 for approved conditions, with medical patients able to possess up to 2 ounces of and six plants with no more than three mature plants at a time. Medical marijuana patients register with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Medical Marijuana Registry.

Colorado approved adult use in 2012 for 21+ years and older, with strict possession and cultivation limits of 1 ounce of cannabis, hash or concentrates and up to 6 plants with no more than three mature plants at a time. Colorado Cannabis is the central public resource for cannabis information, business licensing, enforcement and public health and safety measures.

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Connecticut

Morgan Point Light . . . This lighthouse is situated at the mouth of Mystic River as it empties into Fisher Island Sound. It is located in far southeastern Connecticut, where Rhode Island and New York waters begin to merge with the Connecticut border.
Photo by Rusty Watson / Unsplash

Connecticut passed medical marijuana laws in 2012, making it legal for medical patients to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis. The Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection manages the Medical Marijuana Program.

In 2021, Connecticut passed the Personal Use and Regulation of Marijuana SB 1201 law, with commercial sales expected in the spring of 2022. It will be legal for personal use for adults 21 and older with possession and cultivation limits to be set.

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Illinois

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Illinois passed state marijuana laws for adult use effective January 1st, 2020, for adults 21+ with strict possession limits and no personal cultivation of plants. Illinois is the first state to pass cannabis regulation through the state legislature, expunging close to a million cannabis-related convictions and criminal records.

Compassionate use of medical cannabis has been available since 2014, requiring medical patients to select a single dispensary. This requirement was removed when the new marijuana state law was signed into law in 2021.

Weed Companies in Illinois

  • Green Thumb Industries - Agriculture & Farming, Retail, Manufacturing
  • AeroPay - Information Technology & Services, Financial Services
  • Fyllo - Information Technology & Services
  • Verano - Agriculture & Farming, Retail, Manufacturing
  • PharmaCann - Agriculture & Farming, Retail, Manufacturing
  • Cresco Labs - Agriculture & Farming, Retail, Manufacturing

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Maine

Portland Headlight at Dusk
Photo by Mercedes Mehling / Unsplash

Marijuana became legal in Maine in 2017. After a veto by Gov. Paul LePage, the Maine House and Senate voted to override the veto allowing sales and production of marijuana to commence in January 2019. The legal age to consume marijuana in the state is 21 years old with a personal possession limit of up to 2.5 ounces and up to 3 maturing flowering plants at a time.

The Department of Administrative and Financial Services' Office of Marijuana Policy is responsible for the licensing, regulation, and health and safety of cannabis within the state.

Medical cannabis has been allowed in Maine for approved conditions since 1999, allowing medical patients to possess up to 2.5 ounces and cultivate up to 6 plants at a time.  

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Massachusetts

Un hôtel de luxe longe le quai du port de plaisance de Boston.
Photo by Pascal Bernardon / Unsplash

Medical cannabis was approved in Massachusetts in 2012 for approved medical conditions with a possession limit of up to 10 ounces at a time. Massachusetts legalized cannabis for adult use in 2016 via a ballot measure by more than 53%, allowing adults over the age of 21 to consume cannabis with possession limits of 1 ounce and up to 6 plants not to exceed 12 plants per residence.

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission regulates cannabis. Currently, there are over 100 towns that have permanent bans and moratoriums on retail cannabis stores within the state.      

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Michigan

Otisville river road sunset from above
Photo by Aaron Burden / Unsplash

Michigan approved adult-use cannabis in 2018, with the first legal recreational sales commencing January 2020. It's legal to consume cannabis if you're 21 years of age and have personal possession of up to 2.5 ounces on your person and up to 10 ounces at your residence. Personal cultivation limits are up to 12 plants.

The Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency is responsible for licensing, social equity, health & safety, and regulatory control of the sale of cannabis within Michigan following the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act.  

Michigan has allowed medical sales since 2018 under pre-approved medical conditions allowing patients to possess up to 12 ounces. Many compassionate medical cultivators and retailers have now converted into the recreational cannabis market in Michigan.

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Montana

Breathtaking valley
Photo by Tony Reid / Unsplash

Medical marijuana has been available in Montana since 2004, allowing medical patients to cultivate up to 6 plants with possession limits set at 1 ounce. Medical patients are eligible under pre-approved medical conditions as part of Montana's Medical Marijuana Program.

Recreational cannabis for adult use was approved in 2020, with the first legal sales commencing on January 1st, 2021. It is legal for adults over 21 to consume and use cannabis with possession limits set at 1 ounce and up to 4 mature plants.

Cannabis is regulated under the Montana Department of Revenue by the Cannabis Control Division.  

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Nevada

Redrock Canyon in Nevada.
Photo by Joel protasio / Unsplash

In 2000, Nevada approved medical marijuana, with the first medical sales commencing on October 1st, 2001. Medical patients in Nevada can have up to 2.5 ounces per 14 days in their possession and grow up to 12 plants. Medical cannabis is managed by the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services Nevada Division of Public and Behavioural Health.

In 2016, Nevadans approved adult-use recreational cannabis with legal sales commencing on January 1st, 2017. Adults 21 years and older can consume and use cannabis with possession limits set at 1 ounce. Adults can also cultivate up to 6 plants and up to 12 plants per single residence.

Cannabis is regulated by the Cannabis Compliance Board of the State of Nevada.    

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New Jersey

Photo by Joey Pedras / Unsplash

New Jersey recently approved adult-use recreational marijuana via a constitutional amendment in 2020, with the first legal sales commencing January 1st, 2021. As of 2021, adults 21 years and older can consume and use cannabis, with possession limits currently set at 1 ounce.

New Jersey has allowed for medical cannabis in the state since 2010, with possession limits set by physicians based on patient need and 30-day supply. The Department of Health Divison of Medicinal Marijuana manages the medical program in the state.

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New Mexico

Desert at Dusk
Photo by Andrés Sanz / Unsplash

New Mexico is one of the newest states to allow for adult-use recreational cannabis in the state as of June 2021, with commercial sales beginning in 2022. When commercial sales commence, adults 21 years and older will be able to purchase up to 2 ounces of dried flower and cultivate up to 6 plants with no residence exceeding 12 plants at a time.      

New Mexico has had a medical marijuana program since 2007 for pre-approved conditions allowing patients to possess up to 8 ounces of dried flower every three months and cultivate up to 4 plants in a private residence.

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New York

City of Dreams
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New York is a highly anticipated adult-use cannabis market that approved recreational cannabis earlier this year by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on March 21st, 2021. New York is expected to be one of the largest cannabis markets in the United States and an important market that will encourage federal legalization, banking and taxation reform within the cannabis industry.    

New York has allowed medical cannabis for pre-approved conditions since 2014, signed into law by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The medical program in the state is managed by the New York State Medical Marijuana Program.

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Oregon

We headed back to Mt. Hood National Forest early this morning to hike Bald Mountain. It was really cool watching the fog and clouds roll through the deep forest. We also saw deer! Good vibes.
Photo by Dale Nibbe / Unsplash

Oregon was one of the earliest states to approve adult-use cannabis for adults aged 21 and older. Legal recreational sales began in 2016 with public limits set at 1 ounce per person and up to 8 ounces at home with no more than four plants per residence. Cannabis is regulated and controlled by the Oregon Liquor & Cannabis Commission.

Medical cannabis has been legal in Oregon since 1998, allowing for up to 24 ounces per patient and six plants. Medical cannabis in the state is managed by Oregon Health Authority's Oregon Medical Marijuana Program.

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South Dakota*

Photo by Michael Alain / Unsplash

South Dakota approved a constitutional amendment in 2020 by more than 54% of the vote to legalize and regulate adult-use recreational cannabis and medical cannabis.  While medical cannabis went into effect on July 1st, recreational cannabis has been put on hold due to a constitutional challenge on passing the constitutional amendment that legalized cannabis in 2020.

Since then, the only cannabis commercial business to open is Native Nations Cannabis Dispensary by the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe.

Governor Kristi Noem has committed to ensuring the implementation of medical marijuana in the state, which is managed by the Department of Health's Medical Cannabis Program.

Marijuana activists are pursuing multiple avenues to legalize adult-use cannabis via the state Supreme Court and a ballot initiative in 2022.  

‌Weed Companies in South Dakota

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Vermont

Drove down Adirondack roads and was astounded by the beauty of it’s autumn wilderness.
Photo by Noah Silliman / Unsplash

In 2018, Vermont approved a law that eliminated the penalties for possession of limited amounts of marijuana by adults 21 years of age and older. The law set possession limits to up to 1 ounce and six plants per household. Although the law removed penalties for cannabis possession, retail sales will not commence until 2022 and will be regulated by the state of Vermont Cannabis Control Board.

Vermont has allowed for medical cannabis in the state since 2004 for pre-approved conditions with an amendment on conditions to include Parkinson's disease, PTSD, and Crohn's disease in 2017 by Gov. Phil Scott. The Department of Public Safety Marijuana Registry is responsible for medical cannabis access in the state.

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Virginia

Shenandoah Valley Sunset
Photo by Scott Pruett / Unsplash

Virginia is the first state in the south to allow for adult-use recreational cannabis, signed into law and passed by the state house and senate on April 7th, 2021. As of July 1st, 2021, you can have up to an ounce of marijuana and grow up to 4 plants. Commercial cannabis sales will be available on January 1st, 2024.  

Virginia has allowed for minimal medical cannabis usage since 2015 expanding pre-approved conditions and cannabis product formats and compounds included in the program in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. Medical patients can have a 90 day supply of cannabis products with limited amounts of CBD and THC at any given time and no more than 4 ounces of dried flower per 30 days. Virginia's Board of Pharmacy manages the medical cannabis program in the state.

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Washington

Space Needle at Sunset
Photo by Michael Discenza / Unsplash

The state of Washington has allowed for adult-use recreational cannabis since 2012 with stringent limits on possession amounts and a zero-tolerance approach to personal plant cultivation. Currently, any personal plant cultivation is considered a felony offence in the state. The Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board regulate cannabis.

Medicinal cannabis has been regulated in the state since 1998 and managed by the Washington State Department of Health.

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Washington, D.C.

Photo by Malek Jamal / Unsplash

In the nation's capital, Washington, D.C., cannabis possession and limited personal cultivation have been allowed since 2015. Adults 21 years of age and older can have up to 2 ounces of marijuana and grow up to 6 plans per person or 12 plants per residence. Hash and cannabis concentrates are still considered illegal in the state, and there is no framework for adult-use recreational cannabis retail sales.  

Medicinal cannabis has been allowed through the Department of Health's Medical Marijuana Program signed into law in 2010.

Weed Companies in Washington, D.C.

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