---
title: U.S. States that Have Legalized Cannabis and Their Regulations
description: An alphabetical breakdown of states in America that have legalized cannabis.
image: https://onlinecannabislearning.com/hubfs/iStock-1285800836.jpg
---
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[Angela Lydon](https://onlinecannabislearning.com/blog/author/angela-lydon)Dec 18, 2023 7:15:15 AM5 min read
# U.S. States that Have Legalized Cannabis and Their Regulations
# Legality Of Cannabis
In 2023, almost 50% of all the states in America have now legalized cannabis. However, each state may have different regulations and policies about the possession, growth, and sale of marijuana products. Some states have medicinal marijuana products legal but have not decriminalized the drug recreationally or to grow inside a residence. The legalization of medicinal cannabis was starting to be recognized in the 1990s and early 2000s, but recreational use was still unacceptable. This year, 3 more states in America have legalized recreational cannabis.
## Is cannabis legal?
Explore the current status of cannabis legality worldwide. Uncover the nuances of cannabis regulations, from country to country, and gain a comprehensive understanding of the ever-evolving landscape. Stay informed about the legal status of cannabis with our insightful guide.
**Ready to make data-driven decisions? - [Skills Data Analytics](https://skills-datanalytics.com/)**
Here is a breakdown of decriminalized states, the year they made recreational marijuana legal, and their rules on cannabis. Legality of cannabis by u.s. jurisdiction.
**Alaska-2014**
Only adults aged 21 years or older can possess marijuana. They are only allowed to have 1 ounce in public spaces, but it is still illegal to use the drug in public areas. No more than 6 plants can be grown inside a residence. Legal sales at dispensaries are allowed but they must be licensed.
**Arizona-2020**
Possessing and using marijuana is only allowed for 21+ adults. Smoking marijuana in public is illegal. Licensed dispensary sales are legal.
**California-2016**
Adults 21+ can possess, buy, and sell up to 8 grams of marijuana. Consuming or smoking cannabis publicly is still illegal. Growers can have up to 6 plants in their home.
**Colorado-2012**
Colorado was one of two states in America to be the first to legalize recreational marijuana. One person per household can grow up to 6 plants but there is a 12-plant restriction regardless of how many people reside in the home. Smoking or using marijuana in public is illegal. Licensed dispensaries are allowed.
**Connecticut-2021**
Adults over 21 years old can possess 1.5 ounces of cannabis in addition to an extra 5 ounces if they are in their car or home. Legal cannabis sales are allowed in dispensaries.
**Delaware-2023**
Delaware regulations are stricter than other states, as adults over the age of 21 can only possess 1 ounce of marijuana and are not allowed to grow any plants in their residences. This is largely due to the state Governor’s concerns over the health effects marijuana can have.
**Illinois-2019**
Depending on the consistency of the cannabis, adults over 21 years old are legally allowed to have it. People who are not residents of the states can have half of the amount residents can have. Smoking and consumption are illegal in public areas.
**Maine-2016**
Adults over 21 years of age can have 2.5 ounces of cannabis, 6 flowering plants in their residence, and 12 immature plants.
**Maryland-2022**
Adults can legally have up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis. Lawmakers are still working towards more efficient regulations.
**Massachusetts-2016**
People 21 and older are allowed to carry 1 ounce of marijuana and an additional 10 ounces in their homes. Adults can grow up to 6 plants per person in their residence.
Are you interested in learning cybersecurity? - [ForceOne Cybersecurity](https://forceone-cybersecurity.com/)
**Michigan-2018**
Adults over the age of 21 can have and use marijuana legally. They can have 2.5 ounces and 15 grams of concentrated cannabis. They can grow up to 12 plants in their home.
**Minnesota-2023 **
While recreational cannabis use has been legalized for adults 21-plus, dispensaries are not expected to open until 2025.
**Missouri-2022**
Adults can possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis and must have a registration card to grow any plants in their residence.
**Montana-2020**
Recreational marijuana consumption and possession is decriminalized only for adults 21 years or older.
**New Jersey-2020**
Recreational marijuana consumption and possession is decriminalized only for adults 21 years or older.
**New Mexico-2021**
Adults over 21 can carry up to 2 ounces in public. They are allowed to grow up to 6 plants per person in their home but cannot exceed 12 plants in a residence.
**New York-2021**
Adults over 21 years old can have up to 3 ounces of cannabis and the legal sales of marijuana are now legal.
**Nevada-2016**
People over 21 can carry an ounce of marijuana and an eighth of an ounce of cannabis that is concentrated. Growing at home is also allowed- only 6 plants per person but limited to 12 plants overall.
**Ohio-2023**
Adults over 21 can purchase and carry 2.5 ounces of marijuana and are legally allowed to grow cannabis plants in their homes.
**Oregon-2014**
People can have an ounce of marijuana on them if they are 21-plus. They can have an additional 8 ounces in their home, as well as 16 ounces of cannabis in a solid form and 72 ounces of cannabis if it is in a liquid form. Only 4 plants can be grown in a residence.
**Rhode Island-2022**
Adults over 21 can carry an ounce of marijuana and grow 3 plants in their household.
**Vermont-2020**
Adults over 21 can carry an ounce of marijuana and grow 2 mature and 4 immature cannabis plants in their residence.
**Virginia-2021**
People over 21 years old can have up to 1 ounce of marijuana for recreational use. They can grow up to 4 plants in their residence.
Ready to become a digital marketing expert? - [Focus Digital Marketing](https://focus-digitalmarketing.com/)
**Washington-2012**
Along with Colorado, Washington was one of the first states in America to legalize recreational use of cannabis.
**Washington D.C.-2015**
While residents over 21 years old can possess 1 ounce of marijuana, it is also legal to give an ounce to someone else. Residents can grow up to 6 plants in their homes, but only 3 of those plants can mature.
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**References **
Hansen, C., Alas, H., & Davis Jr., E. (2023, November 8). Where Is Marijuana Legal? A Guide to Marijuana Legalization. U.S. News. Retrieved November 15, 2023, from [https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/where-is-marijuana-legal-a-guide-to-marijuana-legalization#guam](https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/where-is-marijuana-legal-a-guide-to-marijuana-legalization#guam)
(2023, November 13). Marijuana is legal in the United States. MJ Biz Daily. Retrieved November 15, 2023, from [https://mjbizdaily.com/map-of-us-marijuana-legalization-by-state/#:~:text=California%20was%20the%20first%20state,of%20Columbia%20and%2024%20states](https://mjbizdaily.com/map-of-us-marijuana-legalization-by-state/#:~:text=California%20was%20the%20first%20state,of%20Columbia%20and%2024%20states).
#### [Angela Lydon](https://onlinecannabislearning.com/blog/author/angela-lydon)
[mailto:angela.l@focuseduvation.com](mailto:angela.l@focuseduvation.com)
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"text" : "Legality Of Cannabis In 2023, almost 50% of all the states in America have now legalized cannabis. However, each state may have different regulations and policies about the possession, growth, and sale of marijuana products. Some states have medicinal marijuana products legal but have not decriminalized the drug recreationally or to grow inside a residence. The legalization of medicinal cannabis was starting to be recognized in the 1990s and early 2000s, but recreational use was still unacceptable. This year, 3 more states in America have legalized recreational cannabis. Is cannabis legal? Explore the current status of cannabis legality worldwide. Uncover the nuances of cannabis regulations, from country to country, and gain a comprehensive understanding of the ever-evolving landscape. Stay informed about the legal status of cannabis with our insightful guide. Ready to make data-driven decisions? - Skills Data Analytics Here is a breakdown of decriminalized states, the year they made recreational marijuana legal, and their rules on cannabis. Legality of cannabis by u.s. jurisdiction. Alaska-2014 Only adults aged 21 years or older can possess marijuana. They are only allowed to have 1 ounce in public spaces, but it is still illegal to use the drug in public areas. No more than 6 plants can be grown inside a residence. Legal sales at dispensaries are allowed but they must be licensed. Arizona-2020 Possessing and using marijuana is only allowed for 21+ adults. Smoking marijuana in public is illegal. Licensed dispensary sales are legal. California-2016 Adults 21+ can possess, buy, and sell up to 8 grams of marijuana. Consuming or smoking cannabis publicly is still illegal. Growers can have up to 6 plants in their home. Colorado-2012 Colorado was one of two states in America to be the first to legalize recreational marijuana. One person per household can grow up to 6 plants but there is a 12-plant restriction regardless of how many people reside in the home. Smoking or using marijuana in public is illegal. Licensed dispensaries are allowed. Connecticut-2021 Adults over 21 years old can possess 1.5 ounces of cannabis in addition to an extra 5 ounces if they are in their car or home. Legal cannabis sales are allowed in dispensaries. Delaware-2023 Delaware regulations are stricter than other states, as adults over the age of 21 can only possess 1 ounce of marijuana and are not allowed to grow any plants in their residences. This is largely due to the state Governor’s concerns over the health effects marijuana can have. Illinois-2019 Depending on the consistency of the cannabis, adults over 21 years old are legally allowed to have it. People who are not residents of the states can have half of the amount residents can have. Smoking and consumption are illegal in public areas. Maine-2016 Adults over 21 years of age can have 2.5 ounces of cannabis, 6 flowering plants in their residence, and 12 immature plants. Maryland-2022 Adults can legally have up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis. Lawmakers are still working towards more efficient regulations. Massachusetts-2016 People 21 and older are allowed to carry 1 ounce of marijuana and an additional 10 ounces in their homes. Adults can grow up to 6 plants per person in their residence. Are you interested in learning cybersecurity? - ForceOne Cybersecurity Michigan-2018 Adults over the age of 21 can have and use marijuana legally. They can have 2.5 ounces and 15 grams of concentrated cannabis. They can grow up to 12 plants in their home. Minnesota-2023 While recreational cannabis use has been legalized for adults 21-plus, dispensaries are not expected to open until 2025. Missouri-2022 Adults can possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis and must have a registration card to grow any plants in their residence. Montana-2020 Recreational marijuana consumption and possession is decriminalized only for adults 21 years or older. New Jersey-2020 Recreational marijuana consumption and possession is decriminalized only for adults 21 years or older. New Mexico-2021 Adults over 21 can carry up to 2 ounces in public. They are allowed to grow up to 6 plants per person in their home but cannot exceed 12 plants in a residence. New York-2021 Adults over 21 years old can have up to 3 ounces of cannabis and the legal sales of marijuana are now legal. Nevada-2016 People over 21 can carry an ounce of marijuana and an eighth of an ounce of cannabis that is concentrated. Growing at home is also allowed- only 6 plants per person but limited to 12 plants overall. Ohio-2023 Adults over 21 can purchase and carry 2.5 ounces of marijuana and are legally allowed to grow cannabis plants in their homes. Oregon-2014 People can have an ounce of marijuana on them if they are 21-plus. They can have an additional 8 ounces in their home, as well as 16 ounces of cannabis in a solid form and 72 ounces of cannabis if it is in a liquid form. Only 4 plants can be grown in a residence. Rhode Island-2022 Adults over 21 can carry an ounce of marijuana and grow 3 plants in their household. Vermont-2020 Adults over 21 can carry an ounce of marijuana and grow 2 mature and 4 immature cannabis plants in their residence. Virginia-2021 People over 21 years old can have up to 1 ounce of marijuana for recreational use. They can grow up to 4 plants in their residence. Ready to become a digital marketing expert? - Focus Digital Marketing Washington-2012 Along with Colorado, Washington was one of the first states in America to legalize recreational use of cannabis. Washington D.C.-2015 While residents over 21 years old can possess 1 ounce of marijuana, it is also legal to give an ounce to someone else. Residents can grow up to 6 plants in their homes, but only 3 of those plants can mature. For more details on the cannabis industry, visit https://onlinecannabislearning.com/ today. References Hansen, C., Alas, H., & Davis Jr., E. (2023, November 8). Where Is Marijuana Legal? A Guide to Marijuana Legalization. U.S. News. Retrieved November 15, 2023, from https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/where-is-marijuana-legal-a-guide-to-marijuana-legalization#guam (2023, November 13). Marijuana is legal in the United States. MJ Biz Daily. Retrieved November 15, 2023, from https://mjbizdaily.com/map-of-us-marijuana-legalization-by-state/#:~:text=California%20was%20the%20first%20state,of%20Columbia%20and%2024%20states.",
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