Road To Legalization: Full List Of Marijuana Laws By State 2024

Navigating weed laws in the United States can be tricky. It seems like a different state is loosening or changing laws each day.

With so many changes, it can be hard to keep up. To keep you informed, updated, and in the know, we’ve created a detailed guide regarding the current list of marijuana laws in each state as of 2024.

Read on to learn more about marijuana’s legal landscape throughout the United States.

Currently, the United States still has cannabis on its list of controlled substances, making it illegal. However, there are currently two pro-weed bills that are before the Senate as we speak. 

• The Marijuana Reinvestment & Expungement Act
• The Cannabis Administration & Opportunity Act

Both bills have different priorities, but they aim to do the following;

• Decriminalize cannabis at a federal level
• Automatically expunge the records of non-violent cannabis prisoners
• Funnel federal cannabis tax revenue into communities most impacted by the failed war on drugs

We’re not sure when or if these bills are expected to pass. Until then, here’s a look at the legality of cannabis in all 50 states. 

Rhode Island was the latest state to legalize adult-use recreational cannabis. Similarly, New York made the same move in March. New Mexico is another thriving recreational landscape where demand may soon outpace supply. 

Every state that has legalized recreational cannabis allows the following; 

• Recreational use (away from schools, daycares, parks, and other children-heavy areas)
• Medical cannabis
• Possession
• Cultivation
• Sale and trade
• Purchasing

The following states, islands, districts, and territories have legalized recreational marijuana (and medical marijuana); 

• Alaska
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Guam (island) 
• Illinois
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Montana
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• Nevada
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• Washington, DC (district)

There are currently 37 states that have legalized medical marijuana. This means the following is legal;

• Obtaining documents that prove you’re an eligible medical marijuana patient
• Purchasing cannabis from medical dispensaries
• Using medical cannabis on one’s private residence 

Each state has its own list of eligible conditions, meaning what’s eligible for medical marijuana in Michigan may not be the same in Virginia. 

Each state on the list above also has legalized medical marijuana. The following have only legalized medical marijuana;

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Delaware
• Florida
• Hawaii
• Louisiana
• Maryland
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• New Hampshire
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• Puerto Rico (territory)
• South Dakota
• US Virgin Islands 
• Utah
• West Virginia

There are still a few states opting out of legalization. This means,

• Recreational use and medical use are prohibited
• Residents are subject to criminal charges if caught using cannabis
• Purchasing, growing, consuming, and possessing it remains illegal

These states also have their own laws around cannabis, making things a little confusing. For the remaining 13 states, we’ve tied in what they deem legal or illegal. 

• Georgia: Cannabis is illegal, but CBD medicinal products are legal.
• Idaho: Cannabis is not legal whatsoever.
• Indiana: Cannabis is illegal, but CBD medicinal products are legal.
• Iowa: Cannabis is illegal, but CBD medicinal products are legal.
• Kansas: Cannabis is not legal whatsoever.
• Kentucky: Cannabis is illegal, but CBD medicinal products are legal.
• Nebraska: Cannabis is decriminalized (no criminal charges).
• North Carolina: Cannabis is decriminalized (no criminal charges).
• South Carolina: Cannabis is not legal whatsoever.
• Tennessee: Cannabis is illegal, but CBD medicinal products are legal.
• Texas: Cannabis is illegal, but CBD medicinal products are legal.
• Wisconsin: Cannabis is illegal, but CBD medicinal products are legal.
• Wyoming: Cannabis is not legal whatsoever.