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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 [Scott Thiessen via Flickr]](http://lawstreetmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/3732269839_9e414c2b16_b-700x525.jpg)
Image Courtesy of [Scott Thiessen via Flickr]
Marijuana Legalization Status: Medical
Possession: Possessing 60 grams of marijuana or less in Montana is classified as a misdemeanor, which can incur a max prison sentence of six months or three years (depending on any prior convictions), and/or max fines of $500 and $1,000. Possessing more than 60 grams is a felony, which carries a max prison sentence of five years, and/or a max fine of $50,000.
Sale: Selling any amount of marijuana in Montana is a felony. Mandatory minimum sentences range from one to three years, with a max sentence being life in prison. The max fine a conviction can lead to is $50,000.
Cultivation: All cultivation convictions are felonies in Montana. Prison terms range from two years to life, and the max fine is $50,000.
Additional Information: A drug education course is mandatory for anyone convicted of a drug-related misdemeanor. In Montana, possessing marijuana on a train can result in increased penalties.
Qualifying Medical Conditions Include: PTSD, cachexia (wasting syndrome), cancer, central nervous system disorder resulting in chronic, painful spasticity or muscle spasms, chronic pain, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, intractable nausea or vomiting, multiple sclerosis, painful peripheral neuropathy, terminal illness, or any other medical condition or treatment for a medical condition approved by the legislature.
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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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