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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."
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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 Ken Lund via Flickr
Marijuana Legalization Status: Medical
Possession: Possession of 10 grams or less is a civil violation that carries no jail time, but a max fine of $200. Between 10 to 30 grams is a misdemeanor for a first offense and carries a max jail sentence of one year and max fine of $2,500. Subsequent offenses are classified as felonies, and carry more jail time and higher fines. Possessing more than 30 grams of marijuana is a felony, carrying max sentences of one to 30 years and max fines of $25,000. Medical marijuana patients may carry up to two and a half ounces of marijuana over a 14 day period.
Sale: Under 10 grams of marijuana is a misdemeanor that can carry max sentences of six months to one year and max fines of $1,500-$2,500. Selling more than 10 grams is a felony, carrying max prison sentences of one to 60 years, and fines that range from $25,000-$200,000.
Cultivation: Growing five or less marijuana plants is a misdemeanor punishable by a prison sentence up to one year and a fine up to $2,500. Cultivating more than five plants is a felony and incites harsher penalties.
Qualifying Medical Conditions Include: Alzheimer’s disease, Arnold-Chiari malformation and syringomyelia, cachexia (wasting syndrome), cancer, causalgia, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, Crohn’s disease, CRPS, dystonia, fibromyalgia, fibrous dysplasia, glaucoma, Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, hydrocephalus, interstitial cystitis, Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), lupus, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, myoclonus, nail-patella syndrome, neurofibromatosis, Parkinson’s disease, post-concussion syndrome, residual limb pain, rheumatoid arthritis, seizures, Sjogren’s syndrome, spinal cord disease spinal cord injury, spinocerebellar ataxia, Tourette’s syndrome, and traumatic brain injury.
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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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