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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 [bearclau via Flickr]](http://lawstreetmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/Ohio-700x528.jpg)
Image Courtesy of [bearclau via Flickr]
Possession: Marijuana is decriminalized in the state of Ohio. Possessing 200 grams or less is a misdemeanor, potentially resulting in a max prison sentence of 30 days, and a max fine of $250. Possessing more than 200 grams is a felony, carrying max sentences of eight years, and max fines of $20,000.
Sale: Giving away 20 grams or less of marijuana (for no remuneration) carries minimal penalties: there is up to a $150 fine for a first offense, and up to 60 days imprisonment for subsequent offenses. However, selling any amount of marijuana in Ohio is a felony. For sales of more than 20,000 grams, this can result in a mandatory minimum sentence of five years, and fines of up to $20,000.
Qualifying Medical Conditions Include: Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), chronic pain, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, glaucoma, Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, inflammatory bowel disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), multiple sclerosis, PTSD, sickle cell anemia, spinal cord disease or injury, Tourette’s syndrome, traumatic brain injury, ulcerative colitis, and any other disease or condition added by the state medical board under section 4731.302 of the Revised Code.
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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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