The State of Legalized Marijuana in the U.S.

Where is marijuana use legal in the U.S.?

Although marijuana remains a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, 34 states – plus Washington, D.C. – have legalized marijuana use for recreational and/or medical purposes. Of these, 11 states (and Washington, D.C.) have also legalized recreational marijuana use: Alaska, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.

The other 16 states however still follow federal law, making marijuana use illegal with narrow exceptions for treating seizures and epilepsy in Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.

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Map of State Marijuana Usage Laws

The map below shows the statewide legalization status of marijuana as of July 1, 2019.

NOTE: This map does not reflect any local (city, county, etc.) rules or regulations. Please refer to each state’s official website for more detailed information about the specific regulations and laws governing marijuana usage, as applicable.