Where is Marijuana Legal? List of States where Weed is Legal

MJ Laws in the United States are changing rapidly and more States are voting to legalize. Here is the last information that we could find.

Updates On Non-medical Use:

As of November 2021, two territories, 18 states and the District of Columbia (DC) have put in place legislation to regulate the LEGAL use of non-medical (i.e. recreational) cannabis use.

As of May 18, 2021, four territories and 36 states have legalized the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes (restrictions apply).

Image Credit: By Lokal_Profil, CC BY-SA 2.5, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2370050

States Where Medicinal Weed is Legal

Alabama

Is Weed Legal in Alabama?

Legal Reference:

SB46 (2021)

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Specifies Conditions:

Yes. Life-threatening seizures, debilitating epileptic conditions, wasting syndrome, nausea, chronic pain, muscle spasms, any other severe condition resistant to conventional medicine.

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Offense for Recreational Abuse:

Misdemeanor for first offense, subsequent offenses felony.

State Allows for Retail Sales/Nonmedical (Adult) Use:

Arkansas

Is Weed Legal in Arkansas?

Legal Reference:

Issue 6 (2016)

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Specifies Conditions:

Yes

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Yes

Offense for Recreational Abuse:

Misdemeanor for possession under 3oz.

State Allows for Retail Sales/Nonmedical (Adult) Use:

Delaware

Is Weed Legal in Delaware?

Legal Reference:

SB 17 (2011)

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Specifies Conditions:

Yes, but only for state-approved conditions

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Offense for Recreational Abuse:

Decriminalized (civil infraction) for recreational use.

State Allows for Retail Sales/Nonmedical (Adult) Use:

Florida

Is Weed Legal in Florida?

Legal Reference:

Issue 6 (2016)

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Specifies Conditions:

Yes

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Yes

Offense for Recreational Abuse:

Misdemeanor for possession under 3oz.

State Allows for Retail Sales/Nonmedical (Adult) Use:

Hawaii

Is Weed Legal in Hawaii?

Legal Reference:

SB 862 (2000)

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Specifies Conditions:

Yes

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Offense for Recreational Abuse:

Decriminalized as of Jan 11^th, 2020 for possession of less than 3g.

State Allows for Retail Sales/Nonmedical (Adult) Use:

Yes

Louisiana

Is Weed Legal in Louisiana?

Legal Reference:

SB 271 (2017)

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required:

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Specifies Conditions:

Yes. For any condition that a physician considers to be debilitating for a patient that he is qualified to treat.

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Offense for Recreational Abuse:

Decriminalized as of 2021 by Governor Edwards.

State Allows for Retail Sales/Nonmedical (Adult) Use:

Yes

Maryland

Is Weed Legal in Maryland?

Legal Reference:

HB 702 (2003) SB 308 (2011) HB 180/SB 580 (2013) HB 1101- Chapter 403 (2013) SB 923 (signed 4/14/14) HB 881- similar to SB 923

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Specifies Conditions:

Yes

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Offense for Recreational Abuse:

Decriminalized for possession of up to 10g or less. Punishment is a $100 fine for the first offense followed by increasing fines per each subsequent offence. Third offenses may require a drug treatment program. Effective October 2014.

State Allows for Retail Sales/Nonmedical (Adult) Use:

Minnesota

Is Weed Legal in Minnesota?

Legal Reference:

SF 2471, Chapter 311 (2014)

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes but only for liquid extract products.

Specifies Conditions:

Yes. For any condition that a physician considers to be debilitating for a patient that he is qualified to treat.

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Offense for Recreational Abuse:

Partially decriminalized. 45g or less in possession is a misdemeanor, with the possibility of a discharge of the offense for first-time offenders.

State Allows for Retail Sales/Nonmedical (Adult) Use:

Yes

Missouri

Is Weed Legal in Missouri?

Legal Reference:

Amendment 2 (2018)

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Specifies Conditions:

Yes

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Yes

Offense for Recreational Abuse:

Decriminalized as of 2014.

State Allows for Retail Sales/Nonmedical (Adult) Use:

Yes

Hampshire

Is Weed Legal in New Hampshire?

Legal Reference:

HB 573 (2013), HB 89 (2021)

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Specifies Conditions:

Yes.

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Yes, but only with a note from their home state. Cannot purchase at a dispensary.

Offense for Recreational Abuse:

As of July 2017, marijuana possession of up to 21g or 0.75oz was decriminalized by Governor Sununu.

State Allows for Retail Sales/Nonmedical (Adult) Use:

Yes

North Dakota

Is Weed Legal in North Dakota?

Legal Reference:

Measure 5 (2016) NDCC 19-24.1 NDAC 33-44

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Specifies Conditions:

Yes

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Offense for Recreational Abuse:

Decriminalized in 2019 for possession of 14 g (0.49 oz) or less.

State Allows for Retail Sales/Nonmedical (Adult) Use:

Yes

Ohio

Is Weed Legal in Ohio?

Legal Reference:

HB 523 (2016) Approved by the legislature, signed by governor 6/8/2016

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Specifies Conditions:

Yes

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Only is approved by the Board of Pharmacy.

Offense for Recreational Abuse:

Decriminalized. Considered a civil infraction subject to fines.

State Allows for Retail Sales/Nonmedical (Adult) Use:

Yes

Oklahoma

Is Weed Legal in Oklahoma?

Legal Reference:

SQ 788 Approved by voters on 6/26/18

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Specifies Conditions:

Yes. Residents of Oklahoma can apply for a medical cannabis patient’s license online if a written certificate from an Oklahoma board-certified physician, with whom the patient has a bona fide physician-patient relationship, is presented.

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Yes, but must register as an ‘out of state patient’.

Offense for Recreational Abuse:

For a first offense, possession of any amount of marijuana is a misdemeanor that carries with it a term of imprisonment of up to one year and a fine of up to 1,000.

State Allows for Retail Sales/Nonmedical (Adult) Use:

Pennsylvania

Is Weed Legal in Pennsylvania?

Legal Reference:

SB 3 (2016) Signed by governor 04/2016

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Specifies Conditions:

Yes

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Offense for Recreational Abuse:

Possession of 30g or less, punishable by up to $500 fine and 30 days in jail. Over 30g is punishable by up to a $5000 fine and 1-year in jail. *Pittsburgh and Philadelphia have decriminalized possession for up to 30g.

State Allows for Retail Sales/Nonmedical (Adult) Use:

Rhode Island

Is Weed Legal in Rhode Island?

Legal Reference:

S 710 B (2006)- Legislature overturned governor’s veto. SB 791 (2007) SB 185 (2009)

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Specifies Conditions:

Yes

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Yes

Offense for Recreational Abuse:

Possession of up to 28g or 1oz is subject to a $150 fine. Three offenses within 18 months are subject to a misdemeanor charge with increasingly large fines and/or prison time.

State Allows for Retail Sales/Nonmedical (Adult) Use:

South Dakota

Is Weed Legal in South Dakota?

*Medical only, however, a legalization measure for recreational weed has been approved but pending a lawsuit and not enacted into law (yet)

Legal Reference:

Initiated Measure 26 (2020). Court rules measure unconstitutional Feb. 8, 2021. Legislature considering legislation Feb. 9, 2021.

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Specifies Conditions:

Yes.

Recognizes Patients from other states:

To be determined.

Offense for Recreational Abuse:

Possession of 2oz. or less is a misdemeanor with a fine up to $2000 and up to 1 year in jail.

State Allows for Retail Sales/Nonmedical (Adult) Use:

South Dakotan voters passed a law allowing adults to purchase and possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow up to three plants for personal use, which takes effect on Jan 2022.

Utah

Is Weed Legal in Utah?

Legal Reference:

Prop 2 (2018) replaced by HB 3001 HB 3001 2018– Third Special Session

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Specifies Conditions:

Yes.

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Yes

Offense for Recreational Abuse:

Convictions of possession of up to 28g or 1oz are subject to a maximum fine of $1000 and/or up to 6-months in prison.

State Allows for Retail Sales/Nonmedical (Adult) Use:

West Virginia

Is Weed Legal in West Virginia?

Legal Reference:

SB 386 (2017)

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes, with restrictions. No whole flower can be sold for smoking. Vaporized extracts are allowed.

Specifies Conditions:

Yes.

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Offense for Recreational Abuse:

Possession of marijuana in any amount is a misdemeanor punishable by not less than 90 days, nor more than 6 months in jail and not fined more than $1,000.

State Allows for Retail Sales/Nonmedical (Adult) Use:

States Where Recreational Weed is Legal

Alaska

Is Weed Legal in Alaska?

Legal Reference:

Measure 8 (1998) SB 94 (1999) Statute Title 17, Chapter 37

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required for Medical Weed:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Recreational Weed Rules:

Alaskans over 21 can possess up to an ounce of marijuana, give away up to an ounce at a time (but no more than once a day), and grow up to six marijuana plants, though only three of them can be mature. It is illegal to consume weed in public.

Arizona

Is Weed Legal in Arizona?

Legal Reference:

Proposition 203 (2010, Medicinal), Proposition 207 (2020, Recreational)

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required for Medical Weed:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Yes for approved conditions.

Recreational Weed Rules:

Proposition 207 legalized the limited use, possession, and cultivation of marijuana by adults over age 21; it banned the practice of smoking marijuana in public.

California

Is Weed Legal in California?

Legal Reference:

Proposition 215 (1996) SB 420 (2003)

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required for Medical Weed:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes (through cooperatives and collectives)

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Recreational Weed Rules:

California law permits adults 21 years of age or older to purchase, possess, or give away up to one ounce of cannabis, and as much as eight grams of concentrated cannabis. Adults may cultivate up to 6 marijuana plants in the privacy of their own homes. Smoking or ingesting marijuana is illegal in public.

Colorado

Is Weed Legal in Colorado?

Legal Reference:

Amendment 20 (2000)

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required for Medical Weed:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Yes

Recreational Weed Rules:

Colorado adults over the age of 21 can possess up to an ounce of marijuana and grow as many as six plants. But within their residences, no matter how many people occupy the home or apartment, they can have only 12 plants total. Using marijuana in public is illegal.

Connecticut

Is Weed Legal in Connecticut?

Legal Reference:

HB 5389 (2012). Nonmedical use legislation SB 1201 (2021)

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required for Medical Weed:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Yes

Recreational Weed Rules:

Individuals between the ages of 18-20 found to be in possession of marijuana would be subject to a civil penalty up to $150. Marijuana is illegal for those under 18. Those 21 and over may possess up to 1.5 oz of marijuana on their person and up to 5oz in a vehicle or home.

Illinois

Is Weed Legal in Illinois?

Legal Reference:

HB 1 (2013) Eff. 1/1/2014 Rules. Nonmedical use legalization SB 0007 bill passed legislature May 2019, signed by governor June 25, 2019, Effective Jan. 1, 2020.

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required for Medical Weed:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Yes

Recreational Weed Rules:

In Illinois, it is legal for people over the age of 21 to possess 5g of concentrated cannabis, 30g of marijuana, and other cannabis products containing up to 500 milligrams of THC. While visiting Illinois, adults who are not residents of the state can have only half the amount allowable for in-state residents. The use of marijuana in public is still illegal.

Maine

Is Weed Legal in Maine?

Legal Reference:

Question 2 (1999) LD 611 (2002) Question 5 (2009) LD 1811 (2010) LD 1296 (2011)

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required for Medical Weed:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Yes

Recreational Weed Rules:

In Maine, adults over the age of 21 are legally allowed to use and possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana, and to cultivate up to 12 immature and 6 flowering and marijuana plants.

Massachusetts

Is Weed Legal in Massachusetts?

Legal Reference:

Question 3 (2012), Regulations (2013)

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required for Medical Weed:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Yes

Recreational Weed Rules:

In the state of Massachusetts, adults over 21 are allowed to possess up to an ounce of marijuana on their person, and up to 10 oz. in their homes.

Michigan

Is Weed Legal in Michigan?

Legal Reference:

Proposal 1 (2008)

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required for Medical Weed:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Yes

Recreational Weed Rules:

Adults ages 21 and over are allowed to possess, consume and grow marijuana for personal use. Limits on possession allow for up to 2.5oz of marijuana (leaf/bud) or up to 15g of concentrate/extract. Additionally, those 21 and over are allowed up to 12 live plants per household.

Montana

Is Weed Legal in Montana?

Legal Reference:

Initiative 148 (2004), SB 423 (2011) and Initiative 182 (2016) for medicinal use. For recreational use, Initiative 190 (2020)

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required for Medical Weed:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Yes

Recreational Weed Rules:

The state now allows adults 21 years of age or older to possess up to 8g of concentrate/extract or up to 28g or 1oz of marijuana. Cultivating up to four live marijuana plants per household is also allowed.

Nevada

Is Weed Legal in Nevada?

Legal Reference:

For medicinal: Question 9 (2000), NRS 453A NAC 453A. For Recreational: Question 2 (2016) page 25.

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required for Medical Weed:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Yes, so long as the medicinal program is ‘substantially similar’ to that of the home state’s program of the out of state patient.

Recreational Weed Rules:

Possession of up to 1/8 oz of concentrate or up to an ounce of marijuana is allowable under current laws. Adult Nevadans are allow allowed to grow up to 6 plants per person, or 12 plants per household no matter how many people live there. The use of marijuana in a motor vehicle or in public is still illegal.

New Jersey

Is Weed Legal in New Jersey?

Legal Reference:

For Medicinal: SB 119 (2009), Program information. For Recreational: Legalization signed into law by Governor Murphy (Feb, 2021).

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required for Medical Weed:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Yes

Recreational Weed Rules:

Adults 21 and over may possess up to 170g or 6oz. Licensed marijuana delivery services are also legal. Only licensed cultivators may grow marijuana plants.

New Mexico

Is Weed Legal in New Mexico?

Legal Reference:

For Medicinal: SB 523 (2007), Medical Cannabis Program. For Recreational: HB 2 Cannabis regulation act passed legislature March 31, 2021.

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required for Medical Weed:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Yes

Recreational Weed Rules:

Possession of up to 57g or 2oz allowed per adult 21 years of age or older. Up to six mature cannabis plants may be grown per person or up to 12 total per household.

New York

Is Weed Legal in New York?

Legal Reference:

For Medicinal: A6357 (2014) Signed by governor 7/5/14. For Recreational: AB 1248A/SB 854 passed legislature, signed by governor on March 31, 2021.

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required for Medical Weed:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Yes

Recreational Weed Rules:

Adults are allowed up to 24g of marijuana concentrates or up to 3oz (85g) of dry bud/leaf. Residents are now allowed to grow up to three mature cannabis plants per person, up to a maximum of 12 per household. With legalization, there is now a path for potentially having previous marijuana-related offenses expunged.

Oregon

Is Weed Legal in Oregon?

Legal Reference:

Medicinal: Oregon Medical Marijuana Act (1998) SB 161 (2007). Recreational: Measure 91 (2014)

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required for Medical Weed:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Yes

Recreational Weed Rules:

Possession (but not use) of up to one ounce of marijuana is allowed on your person in public for adults 21 and older. Possession of up to 8oz for personal use is allowed at home. In solid form (such as edibles), adults may be in possession of up to 16 ounces. In liquid form, such as a beverage infused with marijuana or THC, possession of up to 72oz is allowed. Additionally, adults may grow up to four live plants per household.

Vermont

Is Weed Legal in Vermont?

Legal Reference:

SB 76 (2004) SB 7 (2007) SB 17 (2011) H.511 (2018). January 2018: HB511 was enacted, legalizing recreational use

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required for Medical Weed:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Yes

Recreational Weed Rules:

Possession of up to 28g or 1oz is allowed, but selling or buying is not (until October 2022). Adults 21 and over may also grow up to 4 immature plants and two mature plants at a time.

Virginia

Is Weed Legal in Virginia?

Legal Reference:

H 1460 (2020), S 646 (2020), H 1617 (2020), S 976 (2020), Legislative Timeline (2020), Board of Pharmacy overview, Board of Pharmacy FAQ. And Recreational: HB2312 and SB1406. Signed by governor 4/7/21.

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required for Medical Weed:

Yes

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Recognizes Patients from other states:

Recreational Weed Rules:

State residents 21 and over are allowed to possess up to 1oz of marijuana for recreational use. Adults may also cultivate up to four cannabis plants per person.

Washington

Is Weed Legal in Washington?

Legal Reference: Initiative 692(1998) SB 5798 (2010) SB 5073 (2011). Recreational: Initiative 502 (2012), WAC Marijuana rules: Chapter 314-55 WAC FAQ about WA cannabis laws by the Seattle Times

Patient Registry or ID Cards Required for Medical Weed:

No. Registration is voluntary.

Allows Dispensaries:

Yes

Recognizes Patients from other states:

No. However, adults 21 and older may legally purchase from a ‘recreational’ dispensary.

Recreational Weed Rules:

Those 21 and older may possess up to 1oz of marijuana, up to 7g of concentrates, up to 16oz of solid edibles, and 72oz of infused liquids (drinks). Growing at home is not allowed, nor is consumption in public.

States Where Recreational Weed Use Has Been Decriminalized

NOTE: Please be advised that decriminalization does not mean that there are no penalties for non-compliance. Violations in decriminalized states generally result in civil penalties including fines. Please research the laws in your local jurisdiction as the legal cannabis landscape is constantly evolving.

NOTE: Decriminalization typically applies ONLY to possession, but not growing, selling, distributing, transporting, or using marijuana in public. All of which may result in criminal charges up to and including felonies in many jurisdictions.