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Cannabis in America
The State of Weed: Marijuana Legalization State by State
**Last Updated February 3, 2017 **
In recent decades, marijuana legalization has continuously evolved in the United States, as opposition against the drug continues to wane amidst new research on the drug's effects and criticism of the U.S.'s handling of the "War on Drugs." Four states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for recreational use, and 25 total states have legalized marijuana for medical use.
In November, a total of nine states voted on marijuana legalization. California, Maine, Massachusetts, and Nevada all voted to legalize recreational marijuana. Arizona voters shot down their legal pot ballot measure. In addition, Florida, Arkansas, and North Dakota voted to legalize marijuana for medical purposes, while Montana voters chose to expand the parameters of their existing medical marijuana program.
The map below displays each state's current marijuana legalization status, from illegal to full legalized recreational use, as of February 3, 2017.
The State of Weed Map
According to Gallup polls, one in eight U.S. adults say they smoke marijuana and 58 percent of Americans believe marijuana should be legal in the U.S. As cannabis initiatives continue to find traction and make their way onto ballots, understanding the intricacies of each state's marijuana laws will become increasingly important.
Patients who use medical marijuana will need to know things like whether or not they can travel with the drug and use it in other states, and in cities where the drug is decriminalized mere fractions of an ounce could make the difference between low fines or substantial jail time. The following slide show contains information on each states' marijuana laws in regards to possessing, selling, and cultivating weed, although please note that this is intended as a basic resource and does not include the entirety of provisions in any given state. This is the "State of Weed."
Go Directly to Your State:
AL | AK | AZ | AR | CA | CO | CT | DE | DC | FL | GA | HI | ID | IL | IN | IA | KS | KY | LA | ME | MD | MA | MI | MN | MS | MO | MT | NE | NV | NH | NJ | NM | NY | NC | ND | OH | OK | OR | PA | RI | SC | SD | TN | TX | UT | VT | VA | WA | WV | WI | WY
![Image Courtesy of [MPD01605 via Flickr]](http://lawstreetmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/Hawaii1-700x325.jpg)
Image Courtesy of [MPD01605 via Flickr]
Possession: Less than one ounce is a misdemeanor that carries 30 days in jail and a maximum fine of $1,000. Possession over one ounce but less than pound is also a misdemeanor, punishable by one year in prison and up to a $2,000 fine. Anything over one pound is a felony and carries five years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. Medical marijuana patients can possess up to four ounces of usable pot.
Sale: The sale of less than one ounce of marijuana is a misdemeanor that carries one year in prison and up to a $2,000 fine. All marijuana sales over one ounce are considered felonies, and can carry maximum sentences ranging between five to 20 years, and fines of $10,000-$50,000.
Cultivation: It is a felony to grow marijuana in the state of Hawaii. Offenders can face up to five to 20 years in prison and maximum fines between $10,000-$50,000, depending on the amount.
Qualifying Medical Conditions Include: cachexia (wasting syndrome), cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, PTSD, seizures, severe muscle spasms, severe nausea, and severe pain.
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Research and analysis conducted by Law Street’s Cannabis in America Team: Alexis Evans, Alec Siegel, Anneliese Mahoney, and Kevin Rizzo.
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