In which states is weed legal right now?

Despite state restrictions on cannabis, many states have made significant strides in legalizing and regulating the plant for medicinal and recreational purposes.

Although not all Americans have access to cannabis, 41 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia have established medical marijuana programs, with 23 of those states fully legalizing or decriminalizing cannabis for adult use.

As of November 2022, here is a comprehensive and up-to-date list of the legality of cannabis and its products in the United States.

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Alabama: Approved a medical marijuana program in 2021, but as of June 2022 there were no physicians certified to write prescriptions, no licensed dispensaries, and no legal cultivation of cannabis products.

Alaska: Legalized medical marijuana in 1998, and since 2015 it has been legal to possess and sell cannabis in the state.

Arizona: legal medical marijuana since 2010, and recreational marijuana will become legal once a legalization measure passed overwhelmingly in the 2020 election is confirmed.

Arkansas: Allows only medical marijuana and its cultivation is not legal.

California: First state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996, and recreational marijuana sales approved by voters in 2016.

Colorado: Legalized recreational cannabis in 2012, and it’s also legal to grow up to six marijuana plants privately in the state.

RELATED: Does Your Medical Marijuana Card Work in Other States?

Connecticut: Legalized recreational cannabis on July 1, 2021 and legal for home cultivation on July 1, 2023.

Delaware: Decriminalized marijuana in 2015 and legalized medical marijuana in 2011, but only one bill legalizing the sale of recreational marijuana cleared its first legislative hurdle in 2019.

Florida: Allows medical marijuana but not recreational marijuana, and Georgia only allows low-THC oil as part of its limited medical program.

Hawaii: Recreational marijuana decriminalized in 2019 and medical marijuana legalized.

RELATED: Evaluating Each State’s Medical Marijuana Program — How Well Did Your State Do?

Illinois: Legalization of both medical and recreational cannabis, with the state legislature passing the law rather than a ballot initiative.

Iowa: Restricted medical cannabis program where only processed cannabis products are allowed for sale while

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Louisiana: Approved medical marijuana, but only allows the purchase of certain forms of cannabis. Maine legalized recreational cannabis in 2016, but retail stores have yet to open.

Maryland: Recently became the 20th state to legalize recreational cannabis, with the program scheduled to take effect in July 2023, while medical marijuana has been legal in the state since 2014.

Massachusetts: Approved for both medical and recreational use; no reciprocity with other states; Adults can grow up to 12 plants.

RELATED: State-by-State Guide to Marijuana Related DUI Rules and Regulations

Michigan: Approved for both medical and recreational use; reciprocity with other states; Adults can grow up to 12 plants privately.

Minnesota: Approved for medical use only; possession of small amounts is decriminalized; no reciprocity with other states; no self-cultivation allowed.

Mississippi: Approved for medical use only; no operational program yet; limited reciprocity with other states; recreational use is illegal; Possession of small amounts is only decriminalized for first offenses.

Missouri: Approved for both medical and recreational use; no reciprocity with other states; Recreational sales are expected to begin in December 2022.

RELATED: CannaMoms: The Key to Global Marijuana Legalization?

Montana: Approved for both medical and recreational use; no reciprocity with other states; Residents can grow up to four plants at home.

Nevada: Approved for both medical and recreational use; reciprocity with other states; medical patients can grow up to 12 plants.

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New Hampshire: Approved for medical use only; possession of small amounts is decriminalized; reciprocity with other states; Cultivation is illegal.

New Jersey: Approved for both medical and recreational use; no reciprocity with other states.

New Mexico: Approved for both medical and recreational use; reciprocity with other states; Home growing is allowed for up to six mature plants.

RELATED: 5 surprising benefits of legalizing marijuana

new York: Approved for both medical and recreational use; no reciprocity with other states; public consumption permitted in some places.

North Dakota: Decriminalized marijuana possession and legal medical marijuana throughout Ohio and

Pennsylvania: Legal medical marijuana and decriminalized possession.

Oklahoma: Approved medical marijuana and allows patients to grow their plants.

RELATED: State-by-State Guide to Cannabis Age Requirements

Oregon: Legalized has legalized both medical and recreational marijuana and allows residents to grow their plants.

Rhode Island: Both medical and recreational marijuana legalized, and retail sales are expected to begin soon.

South Dakota: Legal medical marijuana, but recreational use remains illegal after a challenge from the governor.

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Texas: Restricted medical programs and possession are illegal except for those with medical clearance.

Utah: Legal medical marijuana and decriminalized recreational use.

Vermont: Legalized both medical and recreational marijuana and allowed residents to grow their plants

Virginia: Permits both medicinal and recreational use of cannabis with a possession limit of up to 1 ounce for adults.

Washington: One of the first states to legalize recreational cannabis, although medicinal cannabis is also legal.

West Virginia: Medical cannabis is legal, but recreational use is not.

Washington, D.C: Allows medicinal cannabis and possession of up to 2 ounces of recreational cannabis, but selling recreational cannabis is still illegal.

Diploma

As we have seen, the legal status of cannabis varies greatly in the different states of the United States. While some states have fully legalized both medical and recreational use of cannabis, others only allow medicinal use and some still have strict prohibition laws. The tide is turning, however, and more and more states are moving towards some form of legalization.

As attitudes towards cannabis continue to change and more research is conducted into its potential benefits and harms, it will be interesting to see how these laws evolve in the future. Whatever happens, cannabis will continue to be a hotly debated topic in the United States and around the world for many years to come.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been republished with permission.