The Legalization of Marijuana in the United States: A State by State Look
Marijuana legalization has been a hot topic in the US for many years now. As of 2021, 36 states plus Washington, D.C. have legalized marijuana in some form, be it medical, recreational, or both. This blog will provide a comprehensive look at the state of marijuana legalization in the United States, including a detailed list of the states where marijuana is legal and the laws governing its use.
Medical Marijuana Legalization
The first wave of marijuana legalization occurred when medical marijuana was legalized in the US in 1996 with Califorina. However still to this day many people are unsure about the differace betweeen CBD vs THC. As of 2021, a total of 36 states have legalized marijuana for medical use. These states are: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia.
In most of these states, marijuana is legally available to patients who have been prescribed it by a physician. However, in some states like Kentucky marijuana laws are still restrictive, but are changing. The laws governing medical marijuana in each state vary widely, with individual states setting their own guidelines for how much marijuana a patient can possess, how it can be consumed, and the conditions for which it can be used to treat. While many people think that they need marijuana here are some reasons Cannabidiol aka CBD has been showing lots of benefits for ailments like epilepsy. Here is why you need to Try Full Spectrum CBD Oil.
Recreational Marijuana Legalization
The second wave of marijuana legalization occurred when recreational marijuana was legalized in the US. As of 2021, 15 states plus Washington, D.C. have legalized recreational marijuana. These states are: Alaska, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, and Washington. Additionally, the District of Columbia and Arizona have also legalized recreational marijuana.
In these states, adults 21 and over are legally allowed to possess and consume marijuana for recreational purposes. Each state has its own set of laws governing the use and sale of marijuana, including the amount of marijuana that can be legally possessed, where it can be consumed, and how it can be purchased. While many states are moving to recreational marijuana, hemp that was legalized per the federal farm bill of 2014. We should set a standard for Allowing 1% THC for a better full spectrum CBD industry.
State by State Overview of Marijuana Legalization
Below is a comprehensive list of the states where marijuana is currently legal, as well as the laws governing its use in each state. Check local laws on goverment websites before using marijuana in any state.
Alaska: Alaska legalized medical marijuana in 1998 and recreational marijuana in 2014. Adults 21 and over can legally possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana and grow up to 6 plants. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 8 ounces of marijuana.
Arizona: Arizona legalized medical marijuana in 2010 and recreational marijuana in 2020. Adults 21 and over can legally possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana and grow up to 6 plants. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana.
Arkansas: Arkansas legalized medical marijuana in 2016. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana.
California: California legalized medical marijuana in 1996 and recreational marijuana in 2016. Adults 21 and over can legally possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana and grow up to 6 plants. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 8 ounces of marijuana.
Colorado: Colorado legalized medical marijuana in 2000 and recreational marijuana in 2012. Adults 21 and over can legally possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana and grow up to 6 plants. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana.
Connecticut: Connecticut legalized medical marijuana in 2012. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana.
Delaware: Delaware legalized medical marijuana in 2011. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 6 ounces of marijuana.
Florida: Florida legalized medical marijuana in 2016. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana.
Hawaii: Hawaii legalized medical marijuana in 2000. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 4 ounces of marijuana.
Illinois: Illinois legalized medical marijuana in 2013 and recreational marijuana in 2020. Adults 21 and over can legally possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana and grow up to 5 plants. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana.
Louisiana: Louisiana legalized medical marijuana in 2019. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana.
Maine: Maine legalized medical marijuana in 1999 and recreational marijuana in 2016. Adults 21 and over can legally possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and grow up to 6 plants. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana.
Maryland: Maryland legalized medical marijuana in 2014. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana.
Massachusetts: Massachusetts legalized medical marijuana in 2012 and recreational marijuana in 2016. Adults 21 and over can legally possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana and grow up to 6 plants. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 10 ounces of marijuana.
Michigan: Michigan legalized medical marijuana in 2008 and recreational marijuana in 2018. Adults 21 and over can legally possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and grow up to 12 plants. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana.
Minnesota: Minnesota legalized medical marijuana in 2014. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana.
Mississippi: Mississippi legalized medical marijuana in 2020. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana.
Missouri: Missouri legalized medical marijuana in 2018. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana.
Montana: Montana legalized medical marijuana in 2004. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana.
Nevada: Nevada legalized medical marijuana in 2000 and recreational marijuana in 2016. Adults 21 and over can legally possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana and grow up to 6 plants. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana.
New Hampshire: New Hampshire legalized medical marijuana in 2013. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana.
New Jersey: New Jersey legalized medical marijuana in 2010. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana.
New Mexico: New Mexico legalized medical marijuana in 2007. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 8 ounces of marijuana.
New York: New York legalized medical marijuana in 2014 and recreational marijuana in 2021. Adults 21 and over can legally possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana and grow up to 6 plants. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana.
North Dakota: North Dakota legalized medical marijuana in 2016. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana.
Ohio: Ohio legalized medical marijuana in 2016. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana.
Oklahoma: Oklahoma legalized medical marijuana in 2018. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana.
Oregon: Oregon legalized medical marijuana in 1998 and recreational marijuana in 2014. Adults 21 and over can legally possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana and grow up to 4 plants. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 24 ounces of marijuana.
Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania legalized medical marijuana in 2016. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana.
Rhode Island: Rhode Island legalized medical marijuana in 2006. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana.
South Dakota: South Dakota legalized medical marijuana in 2021 and recreational marijuana in 2020. Adults 21 and over can legally possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana and grow up to 3 plants. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana.
Utah: Utah legalized medical marijuana in 2018. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana.
Vermont: Vermont legalized medical marijuana in 2004 and recreational marijuana in 2018. Adults 21 and over can legally possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana and grow up to 6 plants. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana.
Washington: Washington legalized medical marijuana in 1998 and recreational marijuana in 2012. Adults 21 and over can legally possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana and grow up to 6 plants. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana.
Washington, D.C.: Washington, D.C. legalized medical marijuana in 2010 and recreational marijuana in 2014. Adults 21 and over can legally possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana and grow up to 6 plants. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 4 ounces of marijuana.
West Virginia: West Virginia legalized medical marijuana in 2017. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana.
Conclusion
Marijuana legalization has been rapidly advancing in the United States in recent years. As of 2021, a total of 36 states plus Washington, D.C. have legalized marijuana in some form, be it medical, recreational, or both. This blog has provided a comprehensive look at the state of marijuana legalization in the United States, including a detailed list of the states where marijuana is legal and the laws governing its use. But some questions remain like CBD vs THC – Is one better?
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