Recreational Marijuana Legalization 2024 – A State-by-State Guide

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Marijuana Legalization in the United States is slowly moving forward. Keeping track of how recreational marijuana laws are progressing these days is a full-time job. In certain states, recreational weed is legal, in some, it’s treated like the gravest of offenses, and in others, it occupies some mixed state of legality. Whether you grow your own bud for personal use or are trying to get into the commercial game, below is a state-by-state list to help you keep track of the latest laws.

Alabama

In Alabama, recreational weed is illegal. However, medical marijuana is legal under statute SB46, passed in 2021. There’s a patient registry/ID card system, and dispensaries are legal. Patients from other states cannot access medical marijuana. Recreational marijuana is not decriminalized.

Alaska

In Alaska, recreational marijuana is fully legal, as are dispensaries. The same goes for medical marijuana, which is available to state residents only. Recreational marijuana is available to all adults of legal age.

Arizona

Arizona allows recreational marijuana as well as medical marijuana, which was legalized under 2010’s Proposition 203. Medical marijuana is also legal and involves a patient registry/ID card system. Dispensaries are legal in the state.

Arkansas

Though it is legal to purchase medical marijuana in Arkansas thanks to Issue 6, passed in 2016, recreational weed is still illegal. Recreational marijuana is not decriminalized.

California

Recreational marijuana is legal in California, as is medical marijuana (first legalized with Proposition 215 [1996] and SB 420 [2003]). Dispensaries (cooperatives/collectives) are legal and available to adults.

Colorado

Colorado legalized recreational marijuana with Amendment 64 in 2012. State-licensed retail sales began in 2014. Colorado is a big spot for cannabis tourism.

Connecticut

Recreational marijuana is legal in Connecticut as of July 2021. Adults can possess up to 1.5 oz. on their persons and up to 5 oz. in a sealed container at home. There are 18 state-licensed dispensaries.

Delaware

Recreational marijuana is fully legal in Delaware since April 2023 and it is decriminalized. The state legalized medical marijuana sales in 2011 with SB 17. There’s a patient registry/ID card system, and dispensaries are legal. Out-of-state patients are allowed to purchase.

District of Columbia

Recreational marijuana is fully legal in the District of Columbia. Dispensaries are legal, and both medical and recreational marijuana are available. Adults can possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana and cultivate up to six plants for personal use.

Florida

While recreational weed is illegal in Florida, medical marijuana is legal under Amendment 2 (2016). There’s a patient registry/ID card system, and dispensaries are legal. Out-of-state patients are not allowed to purchase. Recreational marijuana is not decriminalized.

Georgia

Georgia has not yet legalized recreational marijuana. Only medical Medical CBD is allowed in Georgia. Recreational marijuana is not decriminalized.

Hawaii

Hawaii has not yet legalized recreational marijuana. However, medical marijuana is legal in Hawaii under SB 862 (2000). Recreational marijuana is decriminalized.

Idaho

Marijuana is illegal in Idaho. Recreational and medical marijuana are not decriminalized.

Illinois

Recreational marijuana became legal in Illinois on January 1, 2020, and dispensaries operate throughout the state. Up to 15 grams of cannabis are legal for a person to carry.

Indiana

Marijuana is illegal in Indiana. Medical marijuana is limited to CBD oil only, and recreational marijuana is not decriminalized.

Iowa

Marijuana is illegal in Iowa. Medical marijuana is limited to CBD oil only, and recreational marijuana is not decriminalized.

Kansas

Marijuana is illegal in Kansas. Recreational and medical marijuana are not decriminalized.

Kentucky

Marijuana is illegal in Kentucky. Medical marijuana is limited to CBD oil only, and recreational marijuana is not decriminalized.

Louisiana

Recreational marijuana is illegal in Louisiana, however it is decriminalized. Medical marijuana is legal in Louisiana.

Maine

Recreational marijuana became legal in Maine in 2016, as did its retail sale and taxation. Dispensaries operate throughout the state and sell to anyone 21 years or older.

Maryland

Cannabis possession and use became legal on July 1, 2023, in Maryland. Medical marijuana is legal in Maryland under HB 702 (2003), SB 308 (2011), and other legislation.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts legalized recreational marijuana on November 8, 2016. Dispensaries operate throughout the state, and both home use and cultivation are also described in the law.

Michigan

Michigan legalized recreational marijuana in 2018 with the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act. Dispensaries operate throughout the state and sell to adults 21 years or older.

Minnesota

Recreational marijuana possession and use became legal in Minnesota in 2023. Minnesota became the 23rd legalization state when Gov. Tim Walz (D) signed HF 100 into law.

Mississippi

Marijuana is illegal in Mississippi. Medical marijuana is legal, and recreational marijuana is decriminalized.

Missouri

Recreational marijuana is fully legal in Missouri since 2023. Medical marijuana is legal in Missouri under Amendment 2 (2018).

Montana

Recreational marijuana is legal in Montana under Initiative 190, which went into effect on January 1, 2021. Dispensaries are also legal and operate throughout the state.

Nebraska

Marijuana is illegal in Nebraska. Recreational marijuana is decriminalized.

Nevada

Recreational marijuana is legal in Nevada as of January 1, 2017. Dispensaries operate throughout the state, and adults 21 and over can carry up to 1 oz. of cannabis on their person.

New Hampshire

While recreational marijuana is illegal, medical marijuana is legal in New Hampshire under HB 573 (2013) and HB 89 (2021). Recreational marijuana is decriminalized.

New Jersey

New Jersey legalized medical marijuana on April 21, 2022, making it one of the most recent states to legalize it. Dispensaries are opening their doors throughout the state.

New Mexico

Recreational marijuana is legal in New Mexico as of June 29, 2021, with the Cannabis Regulation Act. Adults 21 years and older can possess as much as 2 oz. of marijuana.

New York

Recreational marijuana is legal in New York as of March 31, 2021. The law signed by Governor Cuomo also erased past convictions for cannabis-related offenses. Dispensaries operate throughout the state.

North Carolina

Marijuana is illegal in North Carolina. Recreational marijuana is decriminalized.

North Dakota

While recreational marijuana is illegal, medical marijuana is legal in North Dakota under Measure 5 (2016). Recreational marijuana is decriminalized.

Ohio

Recreational marijuana in Ohio is legal after on November 7, 2023, 57% of Ohio voters approved Issue 2, legalizing cannabis for adults. Medical marijuana is legal under HB 523 (2016).

Oklahoma

While recreational marijuana is illegal, medical marijuana is legal in Ohio under SQ 788 (2018). Recreational marijuana is not decriminalized.

Oregon

Recreational marijuana is legal in Oregon under the Oregon Legalized Marijuana Initiative, Measure 91, enacted in 2014. Private users can carry up to 8 oz., one of the highest limits in the country.

Pennsylvania

While recreational marijuana is illegal, medical marijuana is legal in Pennsylvania under SB 3 (2016). Recreational marijuana is not decriminalized.

Rhode Island

Recreational marijuana became legal in Rhode Island in May 2022, making it one of the most recent states to legalize. Retail sales are set to begin as early as December. Adults 21 and older can carry up to 1 oz. of cannabis and possess up to 10 oz. in their homes.

South Carolina

Marijuana is illegal in South Carolina.

South Dakota

Marijuana is illegal in South Dakota. Medical marijuana is legal, but recreational marijuana is not decriminalized.

Tennessee

Marijuana is illegal in Tennessee. Medical marijuana is limited to CBD oil only, and recreational marijuana is not decriminalized.

Texas

Marijuana is illegal in Texas. Medical marijuana is limited to CBD oil only, and recreational marijuana is not decriminalized.

Utah

While recreational marijuana is illegal, medical marijuana is legal in Utah under Prop 2 (2018). Recreational marijuana is not decriminalized.

Vermont

Recreational marijuana is legal in Vermont as of July 1, 2018. Dispensaries can legally sell to adults starting in October of 2022. Adults can carry up to 1 oz.

Virginia

Virginia legalized recreational marijuana in July 2021. However, there is no legal recreational market, as recreational dispensaries are illegal.

Washington

Legal recreational marijuana became a reality in Washington in December 2013, with legal recreational sales going into effect on July 8, 2014. Washington was the second state to legalize recreational pot. Adults can purchase up to 1 oz.