Where is Marijuana Legal?
As the societal perception and legislative landscape surrounding cannabis continue to evolve, an increasing number of states in the United States have embraced its legalization for both medicinal and recreational purposes. From the verdant landscapes of the Pacific Northwest to the bustling cities of the East Coast, a patchwork of jurisdictions now permits the cultivation, sale, and consumption of cannabis in various forms.
Whether for its therapeutic benefits or economic opportunities, the legalization of cannabis has sparked debate and transformation across the nation. This state-by-state listing provides a comprehensive overview of where cannabis is legally accessible, reflecting the diverse approaches and regulations implemented by each jurisdiction.
Table of Contents
Alabama
Allows Medical marijuana?: Yes
Allows Adult-Use marijuana?: No
Limited medical cannabis program passed in May 2021. It is only available in capsules, lozenges, oils, suppositories, topical gels, and patches. So no smokeable flowers, vaping, or edibles are allowed, only to treat a short list of approved conditions. Alabama has allowed CBD, low-THC medically for a few years, and CBD is legal federally now. Look for movement in the legislature in 2022 for a proper medical cannabis program, although the odds are not good. Limited Medical Use (CBD-Only/Low-THC program) is legal in this state. Check your state laws for details.
Regulatory Structure State Agency: No
Alaska
Allows Medical marijuana?: Yes
Allows Adult-Use marijuana?: Yes
Alaska’s first adult-use sale took place in late 2016. Alaska’s medical program is limited to a card registry for patients and caregivers, with no business licenses. Recreational and medical marijuana are both legal in this state for adults 21 and older. Please note there are limits on possession amounts and restrictions on where you can legally consume cannabis. Check your state laws for details.
Regulatory Structure State Agency: Adult use: Alcohol & Marijuana Control Office More info
Alabama
Allows Medical marijuana?: Yes
Allows Adult-Use marijuana?: No
A limited medical cannabis program passed in May 2021. It is only available in capsules, lozenges, oils, suppositories, topical gels, and patches. So no smokeable flowers, vaping, or edibles are allowed, only to treat a short list of approved conditions. Alabama has allowed CBD, low-THC medically for a few years, and CBD is legal federally now. Look for movement in the legislature in 2022 for a proper medical cannabis program, although the odds are not good. Limited Medical Use (CBD-Only/Low-THC program) is legal in this state. Check your state laws for details.
Arizona
Allows Medical marijuana?: Yes
Allows Adult-Use marijuana?: Yes
Arizonans voted to legalize adult use of cannabis in November 2020 and have already started approving applications allowing medical dispensaries to serve all adults. In November 2020, Arizona approved Adult Use sales which took effect in 2021. The pre-existing Medical Marijuana program is still in effect for those with a card issued by a licensed physician. Check your state laws for updates.
Regulatory Structure State Agency: Arizona Department of Health Services
Arkansas
Medical Marijuana is legal in this state. To legally consume cannabis, patients must present a medical marijuana card issued by a licensed physician. Check your state laws for details.
California
Recreational and medical marijuana are both legal in this state for adults 21 and older. Please note there are limits on possession amounts and restrictions on where you can legally consume cannabis. Check your state laws for details.
Colorado
Recreational and medical marijuana are both legal in this state for adults 21 and older. Please note there are limits on possession amounts and restrictions on where you can legally consume cannabis. Check your state laws for details.
Connecticut
Medical Marijuana is legal in this state. In order to legally consume cannabis, patients must present a medical marijuana card issued by a licensed physician. Check your state laws for details.
Delaware
Medical Marijuana is legal in this state. To legally consume cannabis, patients must present a medical marijuana card issued by a licensed physician. Check your state laws for details.
Florida
Medical Marijuana is legal in Florida. To legally consume cannabis, patients must present a Florida medical marijuana card issued by a licensed physician. Check Florida for details. Learn more about Florida Medical Marijuana laws.
Georgia
Limited Medical Use (CBD-Only/Low-THC program) is legal in this state. Check your state laws for details.
Hawaii
Medical Marijuana is legal in this state. In order to legally consume cannabis, patients must present a medical marijuana card issued by a licensed physician. Check your state laws for details.
Idaho
Cannabis is illegal in this state. But we’re leading the fight to expand your future rights to wellness.
Illinois
Recreational marijuana is legal in Illinois for adults 21 and older. Medical marijuana is legal for qualified patients with an Illinois medical cannabis registry card. Please note there are limits on possession amounts and restrictions on where you can legally consume cannabis. Check Illinois marijuana laws for details. Dispensaries serve Illinois marijuana patients and recreational marijuana guests 21+.
Indiana
Limited Medical Use (CBD-Only/Low-THC program) is legal in this state. Check your state laws for details.
Iowa
Limited Medical Use (CBD-Only/Low-THC program) is legal in this state. Check your state laws for details.
Kansas
Cannabis is illegal in this state. But we’re leading the fight to expand your future rights to wellness.
Kentucky
Limited Medical Use (CBD-Only/Low-THC program) is legal in this state. Check your state laws for details.
Louisiana
Medical Marijuana is legal in this state. In order to legally consume cannabis, patients must present a medical marijuana card issued by a licensed physician. Check your state laws for details.
Maine
Recreational and medical marijuana are both legal in this state for adults 21 and older. Please note there are limits on possession amounts and restrictions on where you can legally consume cannabis. Check your state laws for details.
Maryland
Medical Marijuana is legal in this state. To legally consume cannabis, patients must present a medical marijuana card issued by a licensed physician. Check your state laws for details.
Click here to see state details.
Massachusetts
Recreational and Medical marijuana is legal in this state for adults 21 and older. Please note there are limits on possession amounts and restrictions on where you can legally consume cannabis. Check your state laws for details.
Click here to see state details. Learn more about Massachusetts Medical Marijuana laws
Michigan
Recreational and medical marijuana are both legal in Michigan for adults 21 and older. Please note there are limits on possession amounts and restrictions on where you can legally consume cannabis.
For more information about Medical Marijuana in Michigan, visit the Michigan Medical Marijuana Program website.
Minnesota
Minnesota legalized cannabis for medical use in 2014. Patients who are legal Minnesota residents and have been certified with one of the qualifying conditions are eligible to obtain cannabis. Find RISE Dispensaries in Minnesota state and learn more about the MN Marijuana Program.
Mississippi
In November 2020, Mississippi approved a Medical Marijuana program. Check your state laws for details on how to obtain a medical card.
Missouri
Medical Marijuana is legal in this state. In order to legally consume cannabis, patients must present a medical marijuana card issued by a licensed physician. Check your state laws for details.
Montana
In November 2020, Montana approved Adult Use. The pre-existing Medical Marijuana program is still in effect for those with a card issued by a licensed physician. Check your state laws for updates and details on how to obtain a medical card.
Nebraska
Cannabis is illegal in this state. But we’re leading the fight to expand your future rights to wellness.
Nevada
Recreational marijuana and medical marijuana are both legal in this state for adults 21 and older. Please note there are limits on possession amounts and restrictions on where you can legally consume cannabis. Find a RISE Nevada Dispensary and learn about the Nevada Cannabis Program.
New Hampshire
Medical Marijuana is legal in this state. In order to legally consume cannabis, patients must present a medical marijuana card issued by a licensed physician. Check your state laws for details.
New Jersey
In November 2020, New Jersey Dispensary approved Adult Use. RISE has Recreational Dispensaries in New Jersey:
All 3 NJ Dispensaries offer Medical Marijuana. The pre-existing Medical Marijuana program is still in effect for those with a card issued by a licensed physician. RISE has currently 3 dispensaries. Find a RISE NJ Dispensary nearby. Learn more about New Jersey Medicinal Marijuana Program.
Learn more about New Jersey Medical Marijuana laws
New Mexico
Medical Marijuana is legal in this state. In order to legally consume cannabis, patients must present a medical marijuana card issued by a licensed physician. Check your state laws for details.
New York
Medical Marijuana is legal in New York. Medical cannabis has been legally available in New York State since 2014 for eligible residents. Adult-use cannabis is technically legal as of March 31, 2021, but sales are not expected to begin until at least late 2022. To legally consume cannabis, patients must present a medical marijuana card issued by a licensed physician. Learn more about New York Medicinal Marijuana Program.
Learn more about New York Medical Marijuana laws. Find a RISE New York Dispensary.
North Carolina
Limited Medical Use (CBD-Only/Low-THC program) is legal in this state. Check your state laws for details.
Adult Use : No
Noteworthy Information : Must be less than 0.9% THC and at least 5% CBD. The program lacks a mechanism to obtain oil. Legislation to legalize full medical cannabis expected to come up for vote in early 2022.
Regulated : No. The Dept of Health and Human Services (DHHS) oversees patients and caregivers.
North Dakota
Medical Marijuana is legal in this state. In order to legally consume cannabis, patients must present a medical marijuana card issued by a licensed physician. Check your state laws for details.
North Dakota voters passed medical medical cannabis in November 2016. The first dispensary opened in Fargo on March 1, 2019. A registered qualifying patient can purchase up to 2.5 ounces of dried leaves and flowers (special authorization from the health care provider is required) in a 30 day period. A patient can purchase up to 2,000 mg of other cannabis product in a 30 day period. Concentrates, tinctures, capsules, transdermal patches, and topicals are permitted. A measure to legalize recreational marijuana in the November 2018 election failed. The House passed a number of bills to expand the medical marijuana program in February 2019, including a bill that would add 13 new medical conditions to the list of debilitating medical conditions. Home grow is not allowed for patients.
Ohio
Medical Marijuana is legal in Ohio. In order to legally consume cannabis, patients must present a Ohio medical marijuana card issued by a licensed physician. Check Ohio marijuana laws for details and find a RISE Ohio Dispensary.
Ohio’s Medical Marijuana program became law in June 2016 and is currently in operation. Smoking and combustion are not allowed but oils, tinctures, plant material, edibles, vaping, and patches are permitted. The amount of medical marijuana a registered patient or caregiver possesses must not exceed a 90-day supply.
Oklahoma
Medical Marijuana is legal in this state. In order to legally consume cannabis, patients must present a medical marijuana card issued by a licensed physician. Check your state laws for details.
Voters passed State Question 788 in June 2018, legalizing medical marijuana in Oklahoma, followed by the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Protection Act in 2019, which created the initial regulatory framework within the state. Those with a state issued medical marijuana license can legally possess up to three (3) ounces of marijuana on their person; possess six (6) mature marijuana plants; possess one (1) ounce of concentrated marijuana; possess seventy-two (72) ounces of edible marijuana; and possess up to eight (8) ounces of marijuana in their residence. Patients with a medical marijuana card from a different state can now apply for a temporary medical marijuana license in Oklahoma, which is valid for only 30 days.
By mid-2021, there were 380,000 active patient licenses, and more than 10,000 registered businesses, making it one of the largest programs in the country. Cannabis consumption is allowed anywhere tobacco can be legally consumed, including sidewalks and smoking bars.
Regulatory Structure State Agency: The State Department of Health, Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority division (OMMA).
Oregon
Recreational and medical marijuana are both legal in this state for adults 21 and older. Please note there are limits on possession amounts and restrictions on where you can legally consume cannabis. Check your state laws for details.
Pennsylvania
Medical Marijuana is legal in Pennsylvania order to legally consume cannabis, patients must present a medical marijuana card issued by a licensed physician to buy Pennsylvania Marijuana. Check Pennsylvania marijuana laws for details and find a dispensary. Learn more about Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana laws (https://risecannabis.com/pennsylvania-marijuana-laws/).
Rhode Island
Medical Marijuana is legal in this state. To legally consume cannabis, patients must present a medical marijuana card issued by a licensed physician. Check your state laws for details.
South Carolina
Limited Medical Use (CBD-Only/Low-THC program) is legal in this state. Check your state laws for details.
South Dakota
In November 2020, South Dakota approved both Adult Use and the establishment of a Medical Marijuana program. Check your state laws for updates
Tennessee
Limited Medical Use (CBD-Only/Low-THC program) is legal in this state. Check your state laws for details.
Texas
Limited Medical Use (CBD-Only/Low-THC program) is legal in this state. Check your state laws for details.
Utah
Medical Marijuana is legal in this state. In order to legally consume cannabis, patients must present a medical marijuana card issued by a licensed physician. Check your state laws for details.
Vermont
Recreational and medical marijuana are both legal in this state for adults 21 and older. Please note there are limits on possession amounts and restrictions on where you can legally consume cannabis. Check your state laws for details.
Virginia
Medical Marijuana is legal in Virginia. In order to legally consume cannabis, patients must present a medical marijuana card issued by a licensed physician to buy Virginia Marijuana. Check Virginia marijuana laws for details and find a RISE VA Dispensary.
Learn more about Virginia Medical Marijuana laws
Washington
Recreational and medical marijuana are both legal in this state for adults 21 and older. Please note there are limits on possession amounts and restrictions on where you can legally consume cannabis. Check your state laws for details.
Washington, D.C.
Recreational and medical marijuana are both legal in this state for adults 21 and older. Please note there are limits on possession amounts and restrictions on where you can legally consume cannabis. Check your state laws for details.
West Virginia
Medical Marijuana is legal in this state. In order to legally consume cannabis, patients must present a medical marijuana card issued by a licensed physician. Check your state laws for details.
Wisconsin
Limited Medical Use (CBD-Only/Low-THC program) is legal in this state. Check your state laws for details.
Wyoming
Limited Medical Use (CBD-Only/Low-THC program) is legal in this state. Check your state laws for details.
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