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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 [Shinya Suzuki via Flickr]](http://lawstreetmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/13913443429_420c828144_h-700x467.jpg)
Image Courtesy of [Shinya Suzuki via Flickr]
Possession: Possessing 50 grams of marijuana or less in New Jersey is classified as a disorderly person charge, which carries a max prison sentence of six months, and a max fine of $1,000. Possessing more than 50 grams is a crime, resulting in a max prison sentence of one and a half years, and a max fine of $25,000. Additional fines–and 100 hours of community service–are added if an arrest occurs within 1,000 feet of a school.
Sale: Selling marijuana in New Jersey is classified as a criminal offense, regardless of the amount sold. Mandatory minimum sentences range from three to 10 years in prison, max fines range from $25,000 to $300,000. Selling to minors or pregnant women carries a doubled prison term and increased fines.
Cultivation: Cultivating any number of marijuana plants in New Jersey is a criminal offense. Mandatory minimum sentences range from three to 10 years imprisonment, depending on the number of plants. Fines can reach $300,000.
Qualifying Medical Conditions Include: cancer, Crohn’s disease, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, inflammatory bowel disease, intractable skeletal muscular spasticity, Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, seizures, and terminal illness.
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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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