Marijuana Legalization by State 2024

Edmund Murphy
Dr. Kimberly Langdon
Written by Edmund Murphy on 23 August 2021
Medically reviewed by Dr. Kimberly Langdon on 12 September 2024

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.

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.

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. Additionally, the legal marijuana industry is projected to reach 29 billion dollars per year by 2025 (adjusted for inflation).

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).

StateLegal StatusMedicinalDecriminalized
AlabamaMixedYesNo
AlaskaFully LegalYesYes
ArizonaFully LegalYesYes
ArkansasMixedYesNo
CaliforniaFully LegalYesYes
ColoradoFully LegalYesYes
ConnecticutMixedYesYes
DelawareMixedYesYes
District of ColumbiaFully LegalYesYes
FloridaMixedYesNo
GeorgiaMixedCBD Oil OnlyNo
HawaiiMixedYesYes
IdahoFully IllegalNoNo
IllinoisFully LegalYesYes
IndianaMixedCBD Oil OnlyNo
IowaMixedCBD Oil OnlyNo
KansasFully IllegalNoNo
KentuckyMixedCBD Oil OnlyNo
LouisianaMixedYesNo
MaineFully LegalYesYes
MarylandMixedYesYes
MassachusettsFully LegalYesYes
MichiganFully LegalYesYes
MinnesotaFully LegalYesYes
MississippiMixedYesYes
MissouriMixedYesYes
MontanaFully Legal*YesYes*
NebraskaFully IllegalNoYes
NevadaFully LegalYesYes
New HampshireMixedYesYes
New JerseyFully LegalYesYes
New MexicoMixedYesYes
New YorkFully LegalYesYes
North CarolinaFully IllegalNoYes
North DakotaMixedYesYes
OhioMixedYesYes
OklahomaMixedYesNo
OregonFully LegalYesYes
PennsylvaniaMixedYesNo
Rhode IslandMixedYesYes
South CarolinaFully IllegalNoNo
South DakotaFully Legal*Yes*Yes*
TennesseeFully IllegalNoNo
TexasMixedCBD Oil OnlyNo
UtahMixedYesNo
VermontFully LegalYesYes
VirginiaFully Legal*YesYes
WashingtonFully LegalYesYes
West VirginiaMixedYesNo
WisconsinMixedCBD Oil OnlyNo
WyomingFully IllegalNoNo

*Enactment pending until future date

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Resources:

  1. MARIJUANA LEGALITY BY STAT. (2023, July 1). DISA. h
  2. Where Is Marijuana Legal? A Guide to All 50 State. (n.d.). CNET. h

Activity History - Last updated: 12 September 2024, Published date:


Reviewer

Kimberly Langdon M.D. has been contributing to medical fields including mental health and addiction since she retired from medicine; with over 19 years of practicing clinical experience.

Activity History - Medically Reviewed on 30 June 2021 and last checked on 12 September 2024

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Kimberly Langdon

M.D.

Dr. Kimberly Langdon

Reviewer

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