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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 [Ryan Schreiber via Flickr]](http://lawstreetmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2922022522_0f54860d94_o-1-700x525.jpg)
Image Courtesy of [Ryan Schreiber via Flickr]
Possession: It is legal to possess up to one ounce of marijuana on your person, and up to four ounces in your residence. Possessing more than one ounce, but less than four ounces of marijuana in public is a misdemeanor and carries one year in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. Possessing four ounces or more of marijuana is a felony that carries five years in prison and up to a $50,000 fine. It is illegal to consume marijuana in public.
Sale: It is a misdemeanor for an unlicensed individual to sell or deliver less than one ounce of marijuana, which carries up to one year in prison and a $10,000 fine. Selling more than one ounce is a felony that carries five years and/or up to a $50,000 fine. If an individual sells to someone under 19 and the buyer is three or more years younger than the seller, the penalty is ten years in prison and/or up to a $100,000 fine.
Cultivation: It is legal to grow up to six plants (three mature) in a secure, private location. Cultivating 25 plants or more is a felony.
Exceptions: You may gift or be gifted marijuana under one ounce.
Qualifying Medical Conditions Include: cachexia (wasting syndrome), cancer, chronic pain, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, nausea, seizures, and severe muscle spasms.
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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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