By Edmund Murphy

Last updated: 04 July 2023 & medically reviewed by Dr. Kimberly Langdon

The legal status of marijuana is changing rapidly throughout the country, which can make it confusing to know exactly what is legal and where. Our index will inform you of exactly where marijuana is legal and in what context.

The growing popularity of legalized marijuana

Less than a decade ago, marijuana use was illegal throughout the United States. With the growing application and popularity of medicinal marijuana as a means of treating chronic pain conditions (amongst other ailments), the substance is now legal for medicinal use in 36 states, decriminalized in 14, and fully legal in 17.[2]

This has led to a steep increase in the amount of marijuana use in the United States, with marijuana being the third highest type of substance abuse after tobacco and alcohol. In 2016, almost 9% of the population reported being regular marijuana users.[1]

The legalization of marijuana hasn’t been totally negative though. Not only has medicinal marijuana been able to help people manage painful conditions like arthritis and cancer, but it has also added to the economy. In 2018 there was a 76% increase in marijuana-related jobs created versus the previous year, with around 1,500 new positions.[1] Additionally, the legal marijuana industry is projected to reach 29 billion dollars per year by 2025 (adjusted for inflation).[1]

Related blog: Germany Unveils Plan to Legalize Recreational Marijuana

The legal status of marijuana is changing rapidly throughout the country, which can make it confusing to know exactly what is legal and where. Below is an up-to-date list (as of June 2021) of the legal status of marijuana, including whether it is fully legal, legal for medicinal purposes, or decriminalized (that is no jail and reduced fines for possession). [2]

State

Legal Status

Medicinal

Decriminalized

Alabama

Mixed

Yes

No

Alaska

Fully Legal

Yes

Yes

Arizona

Fully Legal

Yes

Yes

Arkansas

Mixed

Yes

No

California

Fully Legal

Yes

Yes

Colorado

Fully Legal

Yes

Yes

Connecticut

Mixed

Yes

Yes

Delaware

Mixed

Yes

Yes

District of Columbia

Fully Legal

Yes

Yes

Florida

Mixed

Yes

No

Georgia

Mixed

CBD Oil Only

No

Hawaii

Mixed

Yes

Yes

Idaho

Fully Illegal

No

No

Illinois

Fully Legal

Yes

Yes

Indiana

Mixed

CBD Oil Only

No

Iowa

Mixed

CBD Oil Only

No

Kansas

Fully Illegal

No

No

Kentucky

Mixed

CBD Oil Only

No

Louisiana

Mixed

Yes

No

Maine

Fully Legal

Yes

Yes

Maryland

Mixed

Yes

Yes

Massachusetts

Fully Legal

Yes

Yes

Michigan

Fully Legal

Yes

Yes

Minnesota

Mixed

Yes

Yes

Mississippi

Mixed

Yes

Yes

Missouri

Mixed

Yes

Yes

Montana

Fully Legal*

Yes

Yes*

Nebraska

Fully Illegal

No

Yes

Nevada

Fully Legal

Yes

Yes

New Hampshire

Mixed

Yes

Yes

New Jersey

Fully Legal

Yes

Yes

New Mexico

Mixed

Yes

Yes

New York

Fully Legal

Yes

Yes

North Carolina

Fully Illegal

No

Yes

North Dakota

Mixed

Yes

Yes

Ohio

Mixed

Yes

Yes

Oklahoma

Mixed

Yes

No

Oregon

Fully Legal

Yes

Yes

Pennsylvania

Mixed

Yes

No

Rhode Island

Mixed

Yes

Yes

South Carolina

Fully Illegal

No

No

South Dakota

Fully Legal*

Yes*

Yes*

Tennessee

Fully Illegal

No

No

Texas

Mixed

CBD Oil Only

No

Utah

Mixed

Yes

No

Vermont

Fully Legal

Yes

Yes

Virginia

Fully Legal*

Yes

Yes

Washington

Fully Legal

Yes

Yes

West Virginia

Mixed

Yes

No

Wisconsin

Mixed

CBD Oil Only

No

Wyoming

Fully Illegal

No

No

*Enactment pending until future date