Where marijuana is legal in the United States

This content has been fact checked and is up to date as of Nov. 4, 2024.

California was the first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996. Since then, the medical use of cannabis has been legalized in 40 states and the District of Columbia. The recreational or adult-use of cannabis has been approved in the District of Columbia and 24 states.

Cannabis sales projections and data for legalized states

U.S. marijuana legalization by year

StateRecreationalYear legalized (Rec)MedicalYear legalized (Med)
CaliforniaYes2016Yes1996
AlaskaYes2014Yes1998
NevadaYes2016Yes1998
OregonYes2014Yes1998
WashingtonYes2012Yes1998
MaineYes2016Yes1999
ColoradoYes2012Yes2000
HawaiiNoYes2000
MontanaYes2020Yes2004
VermontYes2020Yes2004
Rhode IslandYes2022Yes2006
New MexicoYes2021Yes2007
MichiganYes2018Yes2008
ArizonaYes2020Yes2010
New JerseyYes2020Yes2010
DelawareYes2023Yes2011
ConnecticutYes2021Yes2012
MassachusettsYes2016Yes2012
IllinoisYes2019Yes2013
MarylandYes2022Yes2013
New HampshireNoYes2013
MinnesotaYes2023Yes2014
New YorkYes2021Yes2014
GeorgiaNoYes2015
LouisianaNoYes2015
ArkansasNoYes2016
FloridaNoYes2016
North DakotaNoYes2016
OhioYes2023Yes2016
PennsylvaniaNoYes2016
IowaNoYes2017
West VirginiaNoYes2017
MissouriYes2022Yes2018
OklahomaNoYes2018
UtahNoYes2018
MississippiNoYes2022
South DakotaNoYes2020
VirginiaYes2021Yes2020
AlabamaNoYes2021
IdahoNoNo
IndianaNoNo
KansasNoNo
KentuckyNoYes2023
NebraskaNoYes2024
North CarolinaNoNo
South CarolinaNoNo
TennesseeNoNo
TexasNoNo
WisconsinNoNo
WyomingNoNo
District of ColumbiaYes2015Yes2011
Does not include states that have legalized only CBD-based oils.