Cannabis Legalization: A State-by-State Breakdown
Introduction:
Over the past few decades, the United States has witnessed a remarkable shift in attitudes toward cannabis. What was once considered a taboo substance is now being embraced for its potential medical benefits and economic opportunities. This article provides a comprehensive state-by-state breakdown of cannabis legalization, highlighting the dates and capacities in which it has been legalized.
- Alaska:
- Medical: November 3, 1998
- Recreational: November 4, 2014
- Arizona:
- Medical: November 7, 2010
- Recreational: November 3, 2020
- Arkansas:
- Medical: November 8, 2016
- California:
- Medical: November 5, 1996
- Recreational: January 1, 2018
- Colorado:
- Medical: November 7, 2000
- Recreational: January 1, 2014
- Connecticut:
- Medical: May 31, 2012
- Recreational: July 1, 2022 (anticipated)
- Delaware:
- Medical: May 13, 2011
- Recreational: Pending legislation
- Florida:
- Medical: November 8, 2016
- Hawaii:
- Medical: June 14, 2000
- Illinois:
- Medical: August 1, 2013
- Recreational: January 1, 2020
- Maine:
- Medical: December 22, 1999
- Recreational: January 30, 2017
- Maryland:
- Medical: April 14, 2014
- Massachusetts:
- Medical: November 6, 2012
- Recreational: December 15, 2016
- Michigan:
- Medical: November 4, 2008
- Recreational: December 6, 2018
- Minnesota:
- Medical: May 29, 2014
- Montana:
- Medical: November 2, 2004
- Recreational: January 1, 2021
- Nevada:
- Medical: November 7, 2000
- Recreational: July 1, 2017
- New Hampshire:
- Medical: July 23, 2013
- Recreational: Pending legislation
- New Jersey:
- Medical: January 18, 2010
- Recreational: January 1, 2021
- New Mexico:
- Medical: April 2, 2007
- Recreational: April 1, 2022
- New York:
- Medical: July 5, 2014
- Recreational: March 31, 2021
- North Dakota:
- Medical: November 8, 2016
- Ohio:
- Medical: September 8, 2016
- Oklahoma:
- Medical: June 26, 2018
- Oregon:
- Medical: November 3, 1998
- Recreational: July 1, 2015
- Pennsylvania:
- Medical: April 17, 2016
- Rhode Island:
- Medical: January 3, 2006
- Utah:
- Medical: December 1, 2018
