Which States Could Legalize Weed in 2025?
Look, we all know that 2024 wasn't exactly a banner year for cannabis legalization: South Dakota, North Dakota, and Florida all failed to pass legalization measures at the ballot box (the latter required 60% approval). .
But 2025 could turn out much better for legalization advocates. Several states appear poised to introduce bills to legalize recreational or medical marijuana. Best bets? Adult use in Pennsylvania and Hawaii.
So what do you say, Leafly Nation? Let's keep the train running!
Read on to find out which other states we are keeping an eye on, the specifics of the measures themselves and where the campaigns currently stand.
Hawaii
In my opinion, Hawaii would be the best choice for legalization in 2025.
Karen O'Keefe, Marijuana Policy Project, in Marijuana Moment
Although Hawaii failed to pass adult-use legalization last year, some activists see this as the lowest-hanging fruit in 2025. Karen O'Keefe, director of state policy at the Marijuana Policy Project, explains that the state's Democratic trifecta – Control of the governor’s office, the state House of Representatives and the state Senate – fuels their optimism. “I expect Hawaii to be the best bet for legalization in 2025,” she said in an interview with Marijuana Moment, before conceding that it’s still not a “slam dunk.”
Pennsylvania
One might assume that Pennsylvania would have come together by this point: It has one of the most vocal legalization proponents in the country and a legalization proponent governor. All of its neighbors – except West Virginia – have also legalized. But the Keystone State wasn't so lucky. Still.
Some activists believe momentum is building and that state Democrats — who retained control of the state House of Representatives in November elections while the Senate remains in Republican hands — could successfully push a bill through in 2025.
“The nation is now looking at Pennsylvania as the next major state to legalize cannabis for adult use,” the group Responsible PA said in a statement in November. “The conversation will undoubtedly also become a key budget item for PA lawmakers by 2025.”
A recent bipartisan attempt at legalization in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives included an exclusion path for nonviolent offenders and social justice licensing. It would have given existing medical supply stores the opportunity to open a single additional location. We will keep an eye on whether these guidelines are included in the next proposal.
Until then, Pennsylvania residents can give their dollars and taxes to neighboring legal New Jersey.
Idaho
Idaho has some of the strictest marijuana laws in the country, including a ban on CBD products that contain more than 0.0% THC. Yet the ambitious folks at Kind Idaho are still seeking to place an adult-use measure on the 2026 ballot.
To be clear, history isn't exactly on their side: friendly Idaho failed to collect enough signatures to put medical marijuana on the ballot in 2022 or 2024. But what the hell, stranger things have happened. Here at Leafly HQ we hope third time is the charm for the Gem State!
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Kansas
The Kansas Legislature could make another attempt to legalize medical marijuana — its fifth — during the 2025 session that began Jan. 13.
The closest state lawmakers came to success was in 2021, when a legalization bill was approved by the House of Representatives. But the state Senate shot it down. Public radio station KCUR reports that the shaky MMJ market in neighboring Oklahoma could deter lawmakers from supporting a bill in Kansas.
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It is unclear what provisions the bill would contain, but we can point to the legislature's 2024 attempt to provide guidance: That bill included a comprehensive list of requirements but did not allow edible or smokeable cannabis.
Kentucky
Although Kentucky only launched its medical marijuana program on New Year's Day, Gov. Andy Beshear (D) signaled he would support an adult-use cannabis program if MMJ goes well. Don't tempt us, Andy!
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New Hampshire
Well, here's the good news. New Hampshire lawmakers have said they will make a renewed push to legalize adult-use cannabis in 2025.
And here's the not-so-good news: Newly elected Gov. Kelly Ayotte (R) doesn't want to play along.
So even House Majority Leader Jason Osborne (R), who supports legalization in the state, doesn't believe it will happen any time soon. “I mean, we had an opportunity with the last governor to put this issue behind us, and we frankly blew it,” he told WMUR News. “So I probably can’t imagine going back to it for another decade.”
South Carolina
In the final days of 2024, South Carolina Republican State Senator Tom Davis refiled a medical marijuana bill called the South Carolina Compassionate Care Act ahead of the state's 2025 legislative session. Davis pushed a similar version of the bill in the state Senate in 2024, but failed to gain approval in the state House of Representatives.
Davis is confident a more limited bill offers more potential for his state. “It requires physician approval as a patient and physician oversight,” Davis told WSPA 7 News. “Dispensing is done by pharmacists. It’s a very conservative bill because that’s what South Carolinians want.”
We hope that 2025 will be the year that Davis and the patients of South Carolina all achieve victory!
Texas
Look, here at Leafly we’re a “never say never” kind of team. But we're also trying not to get our hopes up for a new bill that Rep. Jessica Gonzalez (D) filed in December. The bill would legalize the possession and purchase of up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis; It allows individuals to store up to 10 ounces at home. Public consumption would remain illegal. We'll keep you updated.
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Wisconsin
Republican lawmakers in the Wisconsin state legislature have regularly thwarted the goals of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers (D), including cannabis reform. According to Marijuana Moment, Evers is now pushing to allow citizen-led ballot measures in Wisconsin. Evers hopes this policy would lead to legalization.
The voters seem to be on his side. A recent poll by the conservative Institute for Reforming Government found that two-thirds of rural Wisconsin voters — not to mention generally more progressive urban residents — would support legalization.
Until then, Wisconsin residents can give their dollars and taxes to neighboring legal Illinois.
Did we miss a state? Leave a comment below and let us know. Stay tuned to Leafly News for updates on legalization in all of these states!
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