It’s no surprise that the marijuana laws across the United States differ significantly. Even in states where it is legal (such as Colorado), marijuana remains illegal in the eyes of the federal government.
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So, what are the laws around growing and using marijuana in the US? And what is the history of these laws? More importantly, where are the recreational weed states?
Here’s a summary of what you need to know about marijuana laws in the United States.
Federal Marijuana Laws
Under the Controlled Substances Act, there is still no acknowledged difference between marijuana used for medical or for recreational purposes. The laws against marijuana are the same as drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and meth.
Marijuana is also classified the same as dangerous drugs since it is a “Schedule I drug.” This means it is highly addictive and has no medical uses. Because of this, marijuana may not legally be prescribed for medical purposes. Still, since 2014 the federal government has not been pursuing those who use medical marijuana.
Despite the growing wave of support for marijuana legalization (especially on the medical level), the federal government of the United States still has not changed its tune.
There is some hope that this could eventually change if some members of Congress get voted out in the November 2020 election. So, if you’re a US citizen, don’t forget to vote!
The History of Marijuana Laws
The truth is, there is a long and differing history surrounding marijuana in the United States. It certainly has not always been considered a dangerous, addictive drug without any medical use in the eyes of the law. In fact, from the 1600s to the late 1800s, it was encouraged to grow as much marijuana as possible.
Hemp production was used for many useful things, including clothing, sails, and rope. By the year 1619, Virginia required every farmer to grow cannabis in addition to their crops of choice. In the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, hemp could legally be used in place of money.
The widespread growing of cannabis continued until the end of the Civil War, at which point numerous imports were used in place of hemp for a variety of products. That wasn’t the end of marijuana in the United States, however, as cannabis became a valuable medicinal ingredient to a variety of medicines. There were no restrictions on its sales.
The first regulation came about in 1906 when cannabis was required to be clearly labeled before being sold over the counter. It wasn’t used recreationally in the United States until the early 1900s when introduced by incoming Mexican immigrants.
A growing fear of the new foreigners became associated with a fear of marijuana. It didn’t help that the Great Depression followed shortly after that, adding to more fear and resentment of newcomers and their use of marijuana. Studies were done that linked crime and violence with marijuana, and by the year 1931, most of the country had outlawed the herb.
Hemp became useful again in the 1940s (during World War II) when materials were scarce, and Americans were once again encouraged to grow the plant to help provide much-needed materials for several products.
Seeds were even handed out. Even so, that didn’t stop the stricter sentencing laws of the 1950s. Suddenly people who possessed marijuana could be sentenced to jail for years.
Despite all this, the very first state to legalize the medical use of Marijuana was California in 1996. The ball has continued to roll since then. Check the links below to find out more about marijuana laws in your state.
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The state legalization movement
At the time of writing, 36 states, as well as the District of Columbia, allow medical marijuana to be used in some way or another. Laws vary from strictly regulated with few, very specific ailments allowed (such as in Minnesota), to a full allowance of marijuana in a recreational context, but with some restrictions on the amount and number of plants you can possess (such as in Colorado).
Interestingly enough, the legalization of medical marijuana is one of the few big bipartisan issues that exist today. There are numerous Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, and Independents involved in trying to legalize marijuana on their state levels as well as on the federal level.
While the states are pushing federal action, they haven’t always had the most logical laws on marijuana, however. Several states, perhaps most notably Texas, have a “marijuana tax stamp” law that says that, even though marijuana is illegal, people who do have it must purchase a state-issued stamp that is then placed on the illegal product.
Of course, people rarely adhere to such laws, given the fact that they are afraid of such a purchase incriminating themselves. For this reason, the laws are presumably another way of tacking on an additional charge (tax evasion) to those who are caught with the illegal substance.
Additionally, there used to be a law in the state of New York, that said you can’t be arrested for possessing marijuana if it is in your pocket and is in a small amount. If you outwardly display it, however, by taking it out of your pocket or by smoking it in front of a police officer, then you could be arrested.
This led to a number of police officers demanding that people take marijuana out of their pockets so that they could arrest them for displaying it.
Recreational Weed States
The following states allow recreational marijuana.
Alaska
Recreational marijuana was already legalized in 2014. You can only buy weed if you’re 21, and you can only have an ounce in your possession.
Arizona
Those 21 and up can possess up to an ounce with no penalty, but you must be discrete. Carry up to 2.5 ounces and face a small fine.
California
Adults age 21 and up can have an ounce of weed or less. Gifts of marijuana must be 28.5 grams or less.
Colorado
Marijuana can be recreationally enjoyed in Colorado as long as you’re 21 years old. Don’t sell it, though.
Illinois
As of January 2020, Illinois has legalized the use of marijuana for adults 21 plus. Go Illinois!
Maine
You can legally possess 2.5 ounces of recreational marijuana in the state of Maine.
Massachusetts
Recreational marijuana is allowed in Massachusetts and has been operational since 2018.
Michigan
Michigan residents have enjoyed a working recreational program since 2019.
Montana
Personal possession of up to an ounce is legal for adults 21 and older. Possessing more than an ounce but less than 2 ounces is a fine.
Nevada
Adults over 21 can have an ounce of recreational marijuana. Don’t share more than an ounce with your friends, or you could be facing a felony.
New Jersey
New Jersey may be the friendliest state when it comes to marijuana possession. Purchase from dispensaries and carry up to 6 ounces.
New Mexico
Adults may purchase and possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana flower, 16 grams of extracts, and 800 mg of edibles.
New York
The Big Apple lets adults carry up to 3 ounces of weed, however, they don’t want to see it. Face a small fine for toking in public.
Oregon
Oregon has had an operational recreational marijuana program since 2014. You can have as much as an ounce of weed in your possession.
Vermont
Adults age 21 and up may have an ounce of weed (medical users may carry two ounces at once).
Virginia
Adults may possess up to one ounce of marijuana with no penalty. Carry up to one pound of weed and risk a $25 fine. (You read that correctly.)
Washington
You should not smoke in public, but you can have an ounce of marijuana for recreational uses.
Washington, D.C.
While DC isn’t technically one of the recreational weed states, recreational marijuana is legal here. Everyone can carry as much as two ounces at a time.
Download the Free Harvesting Guide to learn more about when and how to harvest your Marijuana plants.
States That Allow Growing Marijuana
Alaska
Marijuana growers can have up to six plants growing at one time in total. They should make sure that, at any one time, there are three or fewer plants that are in their mature (flowering) stage. Make sure you don’t carry more than an ounce of weed with you because otherwise, it’s a misdemeanor.
Arizona
Grow up to six plants in a private residence, but do not exceed two pounds of weed. That amount of marijuana is a felony. You can’t sell your plants or marijuana, however, you can gift your plants to other adults.
California
The largest of the recreational weed states also allows recreational growing of up to 6 plants. Medicinal growers can grow as many as they need, assuming they can prove it’s necessary for their medical condition. In California, you can even give away marijuana without there being any legal penalties. If you’re growing marijuana plants, though, make sure you’re not selling the harvest unless you’re registered as a dispensary.
Colorado
If you are using marijuana for medical reasons, you can be growing six plants at a time. As is common in many states, only three of these plants may be in their flowering phase at a time, so plan it right. It is conveniently also allowed to gift someone with recreational marijuana, as long as it’s not more than an ounce and as long as you don’t receive money for it.
Hawaii
Although it is not one of the many West Coast recreational weed states, you can still grow on these Islands. Under its medicinal marijuana program, Hawaii’s local patients may grow as many as seven marijuana plants at a time. You don’t need to be too careful about the timing of this growing, as all of the plants can be in their mature stages at the same time without a legal problem.
Illinois
Registered patients may grow up to five plants. All five plants can be mature. Caregivers can not grow on behalf of patients.
Maine
As part of its recreational marijuana program, Maine allows recreational growers to grow up to three plants at a time. If you are a registered medical marijuana patient, you may grow up to six plants at once. The good thing is they may also all be mature at the same time.
Massachusetts
This New England state has an operational recreational marijuana program, and residents may grow as many as six plants at the same time at home. There are more than 30 dispensaries in the state now, something that stems back to the year 2018.
Michigan
Michigan is a great state when it comes to home growing marijuana plants. Any resident of this state may grow up to a whopping 12 plants from home and doing so is completely legal! Don’t sell your week though, or even share it with your friends, as this could be a fine or a felony.
Missouri
Patients may cultivate up to six flowering plants. However, those plants must remain in a lockable enclosed space, such as a room, greenhouse, or grow cabinet. To grow, get an identification card from the Department of Health.
Montana
Adult residents of the great state of Montana may grow up to two mature plants, and two seedling plants at a time. A household with two or more adults may grow up to four mature plants and four seedling plants.
Nevada
Patients who are registered under the medical marijuana program are possibly allowed to grow 12 plants at a time (and they can all be mature at the same time). However, be sure to check into whether this applies to you before planting; it depends on how far away your nearest dispensary is.
New Mexico
Adults in New Mexico enjoy legalized growing of up to six mature plants. However, remember to check if you are in a drug free zone first. On the other hand, New Mexico registered patients can grow up to 16 plants. The key thing is, only four of those plants can be flowering.
New York
Adults can grow as many as six plants in this state as long as only three are mature. Growing more than six plants is only a misdemeanor. However, if your combined plants yield more than eight ounces, it may be a felony.
Oklahoma
Patients may have up to twelve plants, with a maximum of six mature plants. You’ll need a license from the state and the recommendation of a physician.
Oregon
Under its extensive recreational marijuana program, residents of Oregon can grow four plants at home if it is for recreational purposes. If you happen to be a registered patient under its medicinal program, however, you can have six mature plants growing alongside as many as eighteen seedlings at home.
Rhode Island
Marijuana cultivators have a fairly easy time in Rhode Island. As long as you are growing your plants all in the same place and are kept indoors, medicinal growers can have up to 12 plants growing and 12 seedlings at the same time. You must hold a medical marijuana card to do so.
South Dakota
Patients can grow up to three plants. A physician can approve additional plants.
Vermont
Residents of Vermont may grow marijuana plants recreationally at home. Growing is limited to two mature plants and four plants in their younger stages. This applies only to adults who are 21 years of age or more.
Virginia
Virginia lets adults grow up to four plants in their primary place of residence. Plants must be hidden from sight and secured from access by those under 21 years old. Growers must label their plants with their name, ID number, and documentation that the plants are for personal use.
Washington
Although the state of Washington does have a working and functional recreational marijuana program, you must be a registered medical marijuana patient in order to grow at home. You can grow up to six plants at a time. Medical patients also have the benefit of being able to carry as much as 3 ounces of weed.
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FAQ About Marijuana State Laws
Which state was the first to legalize medical marijuana?
The very first state to legalize the medical use of Marijuana was California in 1996.
In which state is it legal to smoke recreational marijuana?
The following states have legalized recreational marijuana: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington, D.C.
In which states is it legal to grow marijuana?
The following states allow growing marijuana: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Washington.
Hello, your list doesn’t include AZ. Is there a reason for this? Just curious.