The legalization drive of cannabis — whether be it for medicinal use or recreational purpose — is perhaps among the most buzzing topics of late, especially in the United States.
33 states and Washington D.C. have so far legalized the drug (or should I say the herb?) for medical purposes, while 11 states mentioned below have legalized the same for adult-use:
1) Washington
Recreational weed was legalized in Washington in 2012; the law went into effect the same year. In the evergreen state, adults over the age of 21 can have up to to 1 ounce of marijuana, 16 ounces of cannabis-infused edibles, 72 ounces in liquid form and 7 grams of concentrates. Growing cannabis plants, however, is illegal and counts as a felony.
2) Vermont
Adult-use marijuana laws in Vermont came into force on July 1, 2018. Interestingly, Vermont was the first state to legalize the use of weed via a state legislature rather than through a ballot initiative.
People over 21 can carry up to 1 ounce of the drug and grow six plants per household, which cannot comprise more than 2 mature plants.
3) Oregon
Recreational marijuana was legalized in Oregon in the year 2014. However, the laws took nearly 2 years to come into effect.
Oregon’s law permits its residents to own up to 1 ounce of marijuana in public and 8 ounces in private. Other things permitted include: 16 ounces of solid marijuana concentrate, 72 ounces of liquid concentrate, 1 ounce of THC extract (only at home) and 4 plants per residence.
4) Nevada
Laws legalizing recreational weed in the sagebrush state came into force in January 2017. People putting up here can possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana and 3½ grams of concentrate.
Notably, no residence in Nevada can grow more than 12 plants.
5) Michigan
The adult-use of marijuana was legalized in Michigan in 2018. Michiganians can carry up to 2½ ounces of marijuana in public, keep up to 10 ounces at home and grow 12 plants at a time. 15 grams of marijuana in the form of concentrate is also permitted.
6) Massachusetts
Massachusetts weed laws came into force around Christmas in 2016. Possessing hash is still illegal in the state; however, up to 1 ounce is decriminalized. Individuals are allowed to own up to 1 ounce of marijuana, 6 plants, and 5 grams of concentrate.
7) Maine
Weed was legalized for recreational use in Maine in 2016; the laws came into force the next year. Possession of up to 2½ ounces of marijuana, 5 grams of concentrate, 3 mature plants, 12 immature plants and unlimited seedlings will not get you in any form of legal trouble in the state.
8) Illinois
Illinois legalized the recreational use of the drug only recently, with the law scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2020. In the Prairie State, an individual is allowed to own up to 30 grams of weed, 5 grams of concentrate, or 500 milligrams of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — the psychoactive compound in cannabis that gives you a ‘high’ — in edibles, tinctures and lotions. People visiting from other states and countries will not be prosecuted for possessing up to 15 grams of weed.
9) Colorado
People aged 21 and over in Colorado can legally possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana, 6 plants (not more than 3 mature plants) and an ounce of concentrate.
Recreational marijuana has been legal in Colorado since 2012.
10) California
The government of the Golden State allows its residents to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana, 8 grams of concentrate, and 6 plants. The law came into effect in November 2016.
11) Alaska
Alaska was the first state to allow users to consume the drug on-site (at dispensaries). Possession of hash and concentrates remain illegal but residents can carry up to 1 ounce of marijuana and raise a maximum of 6 plants (no more than 3 at one time).
