Image Copyright Law Street Media.
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 Madeleine Deaton via Flickr
Marijuana Legalization Status: Medical
Possession/Cultivation: Marijuana is decriminalized in Minnesota. Possessing 42.5 grams or less is a misdemeanor offense, carrying no prison time and a max fine of $200. Possessing upwards of 42.5 grams is a felony, which can lead to max prison sentences from five to 30 years, and max fines from $10,000 to $1,000,000. Cultivation penalties for specific amounts are the same as those for possession.
Sale: Selling 42.5 grams of marijuana or less for no compensation carries no prison term, but can incur a max fine of $200. A drug education course might also be required. Selling any more than 42.5 grams is a felony offense, and amounts above that can lead to max prison sentences from five to 35 years, and max fines from $10,000 to $1,000,000.
Qualifying Medical Conditions Include: cachexia (wasting syndrome), cancer, Crohn’s disease, intractable pain, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), seizures, severe muscle spasms, terminal illness, and Tourette’s syndrome.
–
Research and analysis conducted by Law Street’s Cannabis in America Team: Alexis Evans, Alec Siegel, Anneliese Mahoney, and Kevin Rizzo.
Comments