LAST UPDATED: 10/13/2023
Cannabis laws in the US have changed dramatically since Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize recreational marijuana use.
As of October, 2023, 23 states have now enacted the reform.
Each state, however, has taken a different approach towards marijuana legalization with regards to, for instance, personal possession limits and the rules and regulations governing state-legal cannabis markets.
With this in mind, here’s an overview of the marijuana laws that are in place in the 23 states that have moved to legalize recreational cannabis.
Map of legal cannabis states
Browse our interactive map of recreational marijuana states below. Clicking on any of the legal marijuana states will show the respective state laws.
States where marijuana is legal
Alaska
While low-level possession and cultivation of cannabis for personal use has been decriminalized in Alaska since 1975, it wasn’t until 53 percent of voters approved Ballot Measure 2 in 2014 that state officials moved to pass enabling legislation in 2015 for a legal cannabis market. In line with the ballot’s proposals, adults 21 and older can legally possess up to one ounce of marijuana flower, seven grams of concentrates and grow up to six plants at home – only three of which can be flowering at any given time – at a maximum of 12 per household. The first recreational dispensaries in Alaska opened their doors in 2016, and in 2019 it became the first state to allow on-site licensed cannabis consumption lounges statewide. Home delivery of cannabis products, however, remains prohibited.
Arizona
Arizona joined the fast-growing list of legal cannabis states when voters approved Prop 207 on Election Day 2020, which allowed for the possession, use and sale of cannabis by adults 21 and older. Possession is limited to one ounce of marijuana and five grams of concentrates, while cultivation of up to six plants for personal use is also permitted at a maximum of 12 per household. The first retail sales launched in January 2021, meaning Arizona state officials and lawmakers implemented the voter-approved amendment faster than any state had done before.
California
Twenty years since California became the first state with a full medical cannabis program, 56 percent of residents voted for Proposition 64 in 2016 to legalize recreational marijuana. The measure permits adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of cannabis flower, eight grams of concentrates and cultivate up to six plants at home regardless of maturity. Retail sales began on January 1, 2018, though local jurisdictions can opt out of allowing dispensaries to operate in their area but they cannot restrict a person’s right to possess and grow marijuana for personal use. California’s recreational marijuana laws also allow for on-site cannabis consumption lounges, subject to licensing requirements.
View California marijuana laws
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CMNI)
CMNI became the first US jurisdiction to legalize recreational marijuana without an existing medical cannabis program in place when Gov. Ralph Torres signed a reform measure into law in September 2018. Adults 21 and older in the US territory can legally possess and grow personal quantities of marijuana. The law change also allows for commercial cultivation and sales of cannabis, with the first licensed retailers opening for business in 2020.
Colorado
In 2012, 54 percent of Colorado voters approved Amendment 64 to legalize personal possession and use of marijuana, as well as compel state lawmakers to establish the rules and regulations for a legal cannabis industry. Adults 21 and older can legally possess up to one ounce of marijuana or marijuana-infused products (two ounces for medical cannabis patients), eight grams of concentrates and grow up to six plants, three of which can be flowering, at a maximum of 12 per household. In 2019, state lawmakers passed legislation allowing recreational dispensaries and other hospitality venues to apply for a new business license permitting on-site consumption of marijuana products purchased from the retailer or another location.
Connecticut
Adults 21 and older can legally possess up to 1.5 ounces of marijuana flower, or its equivalent in concentrates, in public and up to five ounces at home, while home cultivation of up to six plants – at a maximum of 12 per household – is also permitted.
The law also provides for commercial cultivation and retail sales of cannabis though local jurisdictions can opt out of allowing this.
View Connecticut marijuana laws
Delaware
Marijuana sales and possession of up to one ounce of flower or five grams of concentrated cannabis are legal in Delaware for adults 21 and older.
Home cultivation of marijuana for personal use is not permitted.
District of Columbia
69 percent of DC voters approved Initiative 71 in 2014 to remove criminal and civil penalties for possession of up to two ounces of cannabis and cultivation of up to six plants at home. The measure does not provide for legal commercial production or sales of recreational marijuana as such a move would require approval from the US Congress. Adults 21 and older can, however, gift one another small quantities of cannabis without fear of reprisals.
Guam
Guam enacted legislation legalizing possession, cultivation and sales of cannabis in 2019. Adults 21 and older can legally possess and gift up to one ounce of marijuana flower, eight grams of concentrates and grow up to six plants with a limit of three mature plants. The US territory’s marijuana regulator had a year to adopt the rules for the legal cannabis market but owing to the coronavirus pandemic this has been delayed, so the first retail adult-use dispensaries are yet to open their doors.
Illinois
Illinois’ marijuana legalization law, passed with Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s signature in June 2019, took effect on January 1, 2020 with legal sales launching that day. Illinois residents 21 and older can legally purchase and possess up to 30 grams of marijuana flower and five grams of concentrates, while out-of-state visitors are permitted to possess half these amounts. Home cultivation, however, is only permitted for registered medical marijuana patients.
Maine
Following voter approval of a 2016 ballot initiative to legalize recreational cannabis and establish a legal market, Maine lawmakers eventually passed enabling legislation in May 2018 which slightly watered down some of the original measure’s proposals. Adults 21 and older can legally possess up to two and a half ounces of marijuana flower, and grow up to three plants instead of the six put forward in the ballot measure. Lawmakers also decided to repeal a provision allowing for on-site cannabis consumption lounges but will consider the issue again in 2023, and they inserted language in the final marijuana legalization bill to make it easier for local jurisdictions to prohibit cannabis businesses. The approved act provides for commercial marijuana production and retail sales, but the first recreational dispensaries didn’t open for business till September 2020.
Maryland
Marijuana possession and purchases of up to 1.5 ounces of flower, 12 grams of concentrate, or an edible product containing no more than 750mg THC is legal in Maryland for adults 21 and older.
Home cultivation of up to two plants is also permitted.
Public consumption of marijuana, however, is not allowed and could land you with a $250 fine as a civil offense.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts voters approved a 2016 ballot measure to legalize and regulate recreational cannabis, with retail sales launching in November 2018. Adults 21 and older can legally possess and purchase up to one ounce of marijuana and five grams of concentrates in public, and up to ten ounces of flower, and its equivalent in concentrates, at home. Adults can also grow up to six marijuana plants with a cap of 12 plants per household.
View Massachusetts marijuana laws
Michigan
In 2018, voters in Michigan approved Proposal 1 to legalize marijuana possession, as well as regulate its production and sale. After lawmakers put enabling legislation into effect in December 2018, adults 21 and older can legally possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana flower, 15 grams of concentrates and grow up to 12 plants at home for personal use. The first recreational dispensaries started operating on December 1, 2019, but jurisdictions can choose to opt out of allowing cannabis businesses in their locality.
Minnesota
Adults 21 and older are allowed to purchase and possess up to two ounces of marijuana flower, or its equivalent in concentrated cannabis.
At home, it is legal to store up to two pounds of cannabis and cultivation of up to eight plants, of which a maximum of four may be mature, is also permitted.
Missouri
Adults 21 and older are allowed to purchase and possess up to three ounces of cannabis flower in Missouri, or its equivalent in concentrate.
Furthermore, adults can grow up to six flowering plants, six immature plants, and six plants under 14 inches at home for personal use.
Montana
On Election Day 2020, Montana voters passed Initiative 190 to legalize the use, production and sale of cannabis, as well as approving a separate measure to restrict the plant’s legal use to adults 21 and older. Montana lawmakers amended certain provisions from the original proposal in the final legislation, including reducing the number of mature marijuana plants an adult can legally grow from four to two, with a maximum of four per household. Montana’s marijuana legalization bill permits possession of up to one ounce of cannabis and eight grams of concentrates, and compels the state’s cannabis regulator to issue retail licenses for dispensaries by January 1, 2022. The enabling legislation passed by lawmakers also requires counties that voted against Initiative 190 to hold a new vote on whether or not to opt in to retail cannabis sales.
Nevada
Recreational cannabis possession became legal in Nevada on January 1, 2017, following voter approval of the Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act in November 2016. Adults 21 and older who are not part of the state’s medical cannabis program can legally possess up to one ounce of flower and 3.5 grams of concentrates, but home cultivation is only permitted for those who live farther than 25 miles away from a recreational marijuana retailer. Legal sales of adult-use cannabis started in Nevada on July 1, 2017, while Gov. Steve Sisolak signed a bill into law in June 2021 that allows hospitality venues to apply for a license permitting on-site marijuana consumption lounges.
New Jersey
New Jersey voted to amend the state’s constitution on Election Day 2020 to allow for adult-use possession of marijuana, as well as for the commercial production and sale of the plant. It took lawmakers until February 2021 to approve enabling legislation, which was then signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy and took effect on July 1, 2021. Adults 21 and older can now legally possess up to six ounces of marijuana flower or 17 grams of hash but home cultivation remains prohibited. The state’s cannabis regulator is currently drawing up the rules and regulations for the cannabis industry in New Jersey, with legal retail sales anticipated to launch in early 2022.
View New Jersey marijuana laws
New Mexico
Adults 21 and older can legally possess up to two ounces of marijuana flower and 16 grams of cannabis extract in public, with no set possession limits at private residences.
Adults can also cultivate up to 12 plants at home for personal use, and apply for a permit if they wish to grow more.
View New Mexico marijuana laws
New York
Adults 21 and older can legally possess up to three ounces of marijuana flower and 24 grams of concentrates.
Home cultivation of up to six cannabis plants at a maximum of 12 per household is permitted, as is public consumption wherever tobacco smoking is also allowed.
Oregon
Oregon residents opted to legalize recreational cannabis through Measure 91, which was approved by 56 percent of voters in November 2014. The subsequent enabling legislation took effect on July 1, 2015, allowing adults 21 and older to possess up to eight ounces of cannabis flower and grow up to four plants. The first recreational cannabis dispensaries opened on January 1, 2017, and under the rules drawn up by the state regulator, it’s legal to purchase up to one ounce of cannabis flower and five grams of concentrates per day from a licensed retailer.
Rhode Island
The Rhode Island Cannabis Act established a legal cannabis market in the state, and permits adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana in public and to store up to 10 ounces at private residences.
Home cultivation of up to six plants, of which a maximum of three may be mature, is also permitted
View Rhode Island marijuana laws
Vermont
Vermont was the first state to legalize recreational cannabis through the legislature, with the reform taking effect on July 1, 2018. Adults 21 and older can legally possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow up to six plants at home, two of which can be mature. Cannabis grown at home doesn’t count toward the personal possession limit. Vermont’s initial marijuana legalization law didn’t contain provisions allowing for the creation of a regulated adult-use cannabis industry but separate legislation to this effect was passed by lawmakers and signed into law by Gov. Phil Scott in 2020. The first retail licenses, however, aren’t due to be issued until early in 2022.
Virginia
It is legal for adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of cannabis flower and to cultivate up to four plants at home.
Washington
Alongside Colorado, Washington was one of the first legal marijuana states when 55 percent of voters approved Initiative 502 in 2012. The subsequent legislation passed by lawmakers took effect on December 6, 2012, and permits adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana flower and seven grams of concentrates but home cultivation for personal use remains prohibited. Oregon’s marijuana legalization law also established the regulatory framework for the state’s cannabis industry, with recreational sales launching in July 2014.
