A Guide and Map of Marijuana Legal States
Whether you are a medical patient or recreational consumer, it is important to know the legalities surrounding what you can grow, travel with and purchase legally. Here, we will show you the difference between recreational and medical cannabis and provide a complete and up to date list of all marijuana legal states that allow for either kind of use, including those where personal possession is no more than a misdemeanor.
What is recreational marijuana?
Recreational marijuana is a title given to hundreds of the more potent cannabis strains that are most frequently enjoyed and used for recreational purposes.
What is medical marijuana?
A lot of people don’t understand the difference between recreational and medical marijuana, and that is likely because they are both virtually the same thing. Medical marijuana is unique only because it generally has a higher than average CBD content, which is the non-psychoactive medicinal element produced by cannabis plants, that can help with treating inflammatory conditions and offering longer-term benefits. Though medical marijuana strains are sometimes believed to be superior in nature, many patients find themselves searching for more potent options that can provide immediate pain relief instead.
How to get a medical marijuana card
If you happen to live in a state that has legalized medical marijuana, then it is typically a simple process to apply for a license to grow, smoke and possess cannabis products. An application must be filed in order to receive this special permission, and this can be done with a visit to your local family doctor or cannabis clinic, where during this appointment, you will be asked to provide a medical reason.
States with legal weed for recreational consumption
Though recreational cannabis consumption, to this day, is still a relatively taboo subject, a shift in societies’ opinions is evidence with some of the latest changes to laws, surrounding consumption and growing for recreational purposes. Federal marijuana legalization is quickly gaining speed as it travels all around the world, beginning with Canada.
America has yet to introduce federal marijuana legalization, which has barred growers from shipping out of the region, but there are quite a few states that are 420 friendly. So, whether you are looking for the best getaway for a vacation, or considering moving to a new state, or just a curious cannabis consumer, you might want to bookmark this list, as it is always important to research local laws and regulations to avoid trouble.
Here you will find the bare basic facts that matter to most consumers including where it is legal, how much you can possess while travelling, and how many plants are allowed per household or for an adult in states where marijuana is legal.
1. Alaska
Personal possession: 1 ounce
Cultivation: 12 plants per household with two adults over the age of 21
2. California
Personal possession: 1 ounce
Cultivation: 6 plants per household
3. Colorado
Personal possession: 1 ounce
Cultivation: 6 plants per household
4. Illinois (after January 1, 2020)
Personal possession: N/A
Cultivation: N/A
5. Maine
Personal possession: 2 ½ ounces
Cultivation: 3 mature plants or 12 immature plants per household
6. Massachusetts
Personal possession: 1 ounce (in public) 10 ounces (at home)
Cultivation: 6 plants per household
7. Michigan
Personal possession: 2 ½ ounces (in public) 10 ounces (at home)
Cultivation: 12 plants per household
8. Nevada
Personal possession: N/A
Cultivation: 6 plants per household
9. Oregon
Personal possession: 1 ounce
Cultivation: 4 plants per household
10. Vermont
Personal possession:
Cultivation: 2 mature plants or 4 immature plants per household
11. Washington
Personal possession: N/A
Cultivation: Legal with license
States with legal medical marijuana
In these states, you will require a medical license to legally carry, cultivate, or purchase cannabis products.
1. Alaska
Possession: 1ounce
Growing: 12 plants per household with two adults
2. Arizona
Possession: no clear limits or restrictions
Growing: Permitted with license
3. Arkansas
Possession: no clear limits or restrictions
Growing: Permitted with license
4. California
Possession: 1 ounce
Growing: 6 plants per household
5. Colorado
Possession: 1 ounce
Growing: 6 plants per household
6. Connecticut
Possession: no clear limits or restrictions
Growing: Illegal
7. Delaware
Possession: no clear limits or restrictions
Growing: Permitted with license
8. Florida
Possession: no clear limits or restrictions
Growing: Permitted with license
9. Hawaii
Possession: Not allowed in public
Growing: Permitted with license
10. Illinois
Possession: no clear limits or restrictions
Growing: Permitted with license
11. Louisiana
Possession: no clear limits or restrictions
Growing: Illegal
12. Maine
Possession: 2 ½ ounces
Growing: 3 mature plants or 12 immature plants
13. Maryland
Possession: no clear limits or restrictions
Growing: Illegal
14. Massachusetts
Possession: 1 ounce (in public) 10 ounces (at home)
Growing: 6 plants per household
15. Michigan
Possession: 2 ½ ounces in public 10 ounces (at home)
Growing: no clear limits or restrictions
16. Minnesota
Possession: no clear limits or restrictions
Growing: Permitted with license
17. Missouri
Possession: no clear limits or restrictions
Growing: Permitted with license
18. Montana
Possession: no clear limits or restrictions
Growing: Permitted with license
19. Nevada
Possession: no clear limits or restrictions
Growing: 6 plants per household
20. New Hampshire
Possession: ¾ ounce
Growing: Permitted with license
21. New Jersey
Possession: no clear limits or restrictions
Growing: Permitted with license
22. New Mexico
Possession: no clear limits or restrictions
Growing: Permitted with license
23. New York
Possession: no clear limits or restrictions
Growing: Misdemeanor
24. North Dakota
Possession: no clear limits or restrictions
Growing: Illegal
25. Ohio
Possession: no clear limits or restrictions
Growing: Permitted with license
26. Oklahoma
Possession: no clear limits or restrictions
Growing: Permitted with license
27. Oregon
Possession: 1 ounce
Growing: 4 plants per household
28. Pennsylvania
Possession: no clear limits or restrictions
Growing: Permitted with license
29. Rhode Island
Possession: no clear limits or restrictions
Growing: Permitted with license
30. Utah
Possession: no clear limits or restrictions
Growing: Illegal
31. Vermont
Possession: 1 ounce
Growing: 2 mature plants or 4 mature plants per household
32. Washington
Possession: 1 ounce
Growing: Permitted with license
33. West Virginia
Possession: no clear limits or restrictions
Growing: Illegal
States where marijuana is decriminalized or labelled as a misdemeanor
These regions are also excellent hot spots for cannabis enthusiasts, as they often have current laws against recreational marijuana, but the punishment for partaking is nearly non-existent, making them all areas where it should be easy for stoners to feel right at home.
1. Alabama
Status: Decriminalized
Personal possession: N/A
Cultivation: Illegal
2. Connecticut
Status: Decriminalized
Personal possession: Legal for medical purposes
Cultivation: Felony
3. Delaware
Status: Decriminalized
Personal possession: Legal for medical purposes
Cultivation: Legal for medical purposes
4. Hawaii (January 11, 2020)
Status: Illegal
Personal possession: N/A
Cultivation: Illegal
5. Illinois
Status: Decriminalized
Personal possession: N/A
Cultivation: Illegal
6. Indiana
Status: Misdemeanor
Personal possession: N/A
Cultivation: Illegal
7. Iowa
Status: Illegal
Personal possession: N/A
Cultivation: Felony
8. Kansas
Status: misdemeanor
Personal possession: N/A
Cultivation: Illegal
9. Kentucky
Status: Misdemeanor
Personal possession: N/A
Cultivation: Misdemeanor
10. Minnesota
Status: Decriminalized
Personal possession: N/A
Cultivation: Illegal
11. Missouri
Status: Decriminalized
Personal possession: N/A
Cultivation: Illegal
12. Nebraska
Status: Decriminalized (Only first offence)
Personal possession: N/A
Cultivation: Illegal
13. New Hampshire
Status: Decriminalized
Personal possession: ¾ ounce
Cultivation: Illegal
14. New Mexico
Status: Decriminalized
Personal possession: N/A
Cultivation: N/A
15. New York
Status: Decriminalized
Personal possession: N/A
Cultivation: Misdemeanor
16. North Carolina
Status: Decriminalized
Personal possession: ½ ounce
Cultivation: Illegal
17. North Dakota
Status: Decriminalized
Personal possession: ½ ounce
Cultivation: Illegal
18. Ohio
Status: Decriminalized
Personal possession: N/A
Cultivation: Illegal
19. Rhode Island
Status: Decriminalized
Personal possession: N/A
Cultivation: Illegal
20. South Carolina
Status: Misdemeanor
Personal possession: N/A
Cultivation: Illegal
21. South Dakota
Status: Misdemeanor
Personal possession: N/A
Cultivation: Illegal
22. Tennessee
Status: Misdemeanor
Personal possession: ½ ounce
Cultivation: 6 plants per household
23. Utah
Status: Misdemeanor
Personal possession: N/A
Cultivation: Illegal
24. Virginia
Status: Misdemeanor
Personal possession: N/A
Cultivation: Illegal
25. West Virginia
Status: Misdemeanor
Personal possession: N/A
Cultivation: Illegal
26. Wisconsin
Status: Misdemeanor (Only first offense)
Personal possession: N/A
Cultivation: Felony
27. Wyoming
Status: Misdemeanor
Personal possession: N/A
Cultivation: Illegal
