Where Is Marijuana Legal in the USA

Despite all the insistent hullabaloo created by the likes of Jeb Bush in Florida against the legalization of marijuana, there seems to be an unstoppable wave in America clamoring for legalization. Nevertheless, the ultra conservatives have still managed to keep federal laws and most state laws anti-cannabis. Despite this hard stance, polls suggest that up to 85% of Americans support the legalization of medical marijuana while at least 55% support the legalization of recreational marijuana. With such a high proportion of the populace inclined toward supporting legalization, it is no wonder that at least 20 states and the District of Columbia have legalized the use of medical marijuana while Washington and Colorado have gone a step ahead and legalized the use of cannabis for recreation.

New YorkThe Empire State became the 23rd state to legalize the use of medical marijuana. On 7th July, 2014, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation allowing limited use of medical marijuana by terminally ill patients. The strict laws do not allow smoking of marijuana but only allows administration of the drug through oils, vaporization, and edibles.

Illinois The Prairie State’s Governor Pat Quinn signed into law legislation allowing the use of non-smokable medical marijuana on 20th July, 2014. The law seeks to aid sufferers of debilitating medical conditions such as epilepsy ease the symptoms and manage pain.

Oregon

The Beaver State was the very first US state to decriminalize the use and limited amount possession of cannabis. In fact, up until 1935, cannabis was completely legal. The 1973 decriminalization bill allows possession of up to an ounce. Public use and driving under the influence of cannabis are also punishable offenses.

Michigan

The Great Lakes State allows patients suffering from certain qualifying health conditions to register with the Michigan Medical Marihuana Program. Patients are issued with identity cards and allowed to use medical marijuana and cultivate upto12 plants.

Alabama

The Yellowhammer State has a cannabidiol-specific (CBD-specific) law that regulates the use of medical marijuana among qualifying patients.

North Carolina

The Tar Heel State has a CBD-specific law that allows the use of medical marijuana for intractable epilepsy patients. The cannabis should contain more than 10% CBD and less than 0.3% THC.

Alaska

The Last Frontier’s 1998 and 2007 marijuana laws allow patient suffering from qualifying conditions possession of not more than one ounce and only up to 6 plants cultivation.

Minnesota

The North Star State’s Governor Mark

Dayton in May 2014 put pen to paper

legalizing the use of non-smokable medical

marijuana for qualifying patients.

Nevada

The Silver State allows possession of up to one ounce and cultivation of up to 7 plants for qualifying patients.

Washington

The Evergreen State is famous for Tacoma’s Cannabis Farmers’ Market. Medical marijuana has been legal in Washington since 1998 and recreational marijuana for persons above the age of 21 has been legal since 2012.

Washington DC

The District of Columbia legalized medical marijuana in 2011 and penalties for possession reduced since July 2014.

Texas

The Lone Star State requires patients to demonstrate before a judge that they need medical marijuana for their condition in what is known as an affirmative defense.

Wisconsin

The Badger State allows application of medical marijuana oils to ease and manage seizures in children.

IowaThe Hawkeye State treats marijuana as a schedule two drug meaning it is legal, has potential benefits, but can be subject to abuse.

California

The Golden State passed a proposition legalizing medical marijuana in 1996.

Colorado

The Centennial State‘s Amendment 20 was passed in 2000 allowing the use of medical marijuana. In November 2012, Amendment 64 allowed the use of marijuana for recreation.

Arizona

The Grand Canyon State’s proposition 203 in 2010 allowed the use of medical marijuana.

Delaware

In 2011, The First State’s Governor Jack Markell signed the law allowing qualifying patients to possess of up to 6 ounces.

Maryland

The Old Line State allows affirmative defense for patients with demonstrated serious conditions.

Connecticut

The Constitution State became the 17th State to legalize medical marijuana when Governor Dannel Malloy signed the Bill in 2012.

Vermont

The Green Mountain State legalized medical marijuana through the Senate Bill 76 (2004) which was amended in 2007 to define qualifying patients.

Hawaii

The Aloha State legalized medical marijuana through Senate Bill 862 (2000).

Rhode Island

The Ocean State legalized medical marijuana since 2006 but it was not until 2013 that the first marijuana dispensary was opened.

New Mexico

The Land of Enchantment’s Senate Bill 523 (2007) legalizes use of medical marijuana.

Maine

The Pine Tree State legalized medical marijuana in November, 1999.

Montana

The Treasure State’s voters gave a 62% “Yes” vote to Initiative 148 (2004) legalizing medical marijuana.

New Hampshire

The Granite State through HB 573 (2013) became the 19th US state to legalize the use of medical marijuana.

Massachusetts

The Bay State’s voters gave 63% support to the Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Initiative in 2012.

New Jersey

The Garden State’s Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act became law on 18th January, 2010.

Conclusion

The position of the federal government remains that it is illegal to use, sell, cultivate, or distribute marijuana for whatever reason and anyone involved in these activities may be subject to prosecution. That said, the US Attorney General and the Obama administration generally run on a policy of not actively pursuing users and distributors as a legal priority.