Is cannabis legal in the United States?
Varies by region
Cannabis law differs by state or territory within the country.
The United States is one of 2 countries classified “Varies by region” for cannabis — 1% of the 199 with data. (Also searched as marijuana, weed.)
Source
- Taken from
- Wikipedia: Legality of cannabis
- Last checked
- 15 September 2026
- How it was classified
- Read directly from the source’s own table, without interpretation.
State by state
- Alabama
- Legal (Medical) Cannabis is illegal for recreational use but legal for medical purposes in Alabama, with restrictions on possession and dosage.
- Alaska
- Legal Cannabis is legal for both medical and recreational use in Alaska.
- Arizona
- Legal Cannabis is legal for both medical and recreational use in Arizona.
- Arkansas
- Legal (Medical) Cannabis is legal for medical purposes in Arkansas, with possession up to 2.5 oz allowed every 14 days.
- California
- Legal Cannabis is fully legal for recreational use in California with possession limits of up to 6 plants per household or acre of land.
- Colorado
- Legal Cannabis is legal for both medical and recreational use in Colorado with specific plant quantity limits.
- Connecticut
- Legal Recreational cannabis use is legal in Connecticut with certain restrictions.
- Delaware
- Legal Recreational cannabis is legal in Delaware, with possession limits of up to 1 oz (28 g) and 12 g (.4 oz) of concentrate.
- Florida
- Legal (Medical) Cannabis is legal for medical purposes in Florida, with recreational use still illegal.
- Georgia
- Decriminalized In Georgia, possession of marijuana is a felony for amounts over 1 oz, but some cities have decriminalized it; low-THC CBD oil is legal for medical use.
- Hawaii
- Varies by region Hawaii has complex cannabis laws with varying levels of legality for recreational and medical use.
- Idaho
- Illegal Cannabis possession over 3 oz (85 g) but less than 1 lb (0.45 kg) is a felony in Idaho, with up to 5 years in prison or fine up to $10,000.
- Illinois
- Legal Recreational cannabis is legal for adults aged 21 and over in Illinois, with possession limits up to 30g.
- Indiana
- Decriminalized Cannabis is illegal in most of Indiana, but decriminalized in Marion County and CBD oil with less than 0.3% THC is legal for any use.
- Iowa
- Legal Cannabis is legal in Iowa for recreational use, with a possession limit of up to 4.5 grams of THC per 90-day period.
- Kansas
- Legal (Medical) CBD oil containing 0% THC is legal for any use, while cannabis with THC remains illegal.
- Kentucky
- Legal (Medical) Cannabis is legal for medical purposes, with recreational possession punishable as a misdemeanor.
- Louisiana
- Varies by region Cannabis laws in Louisiana are complex, with varying levels of legality depending on the context.
- Maine
- Legal Cannabis is legal for both medical and recreational use in Maine, with specific limits on possession.
- Maryland
- Legal Cannabis is fully legal for recreational use in Maryland, with specific limits on possession and cultivation.
- Massachusetts
- Legal Recreational cannabis use is legal in Massachusetts, with possession limits and home cultivation allowed.
- Michigan
- Legal Recreational cannabis is legal for personal possession and purchase in Michigan, with specific limits on quantities.
- Minnesota
- Legal Cannabis is fully legal for recreational use in Minnesota with specific possession limits.
- Mississippi
- Varies by region Cannabis laws in Mississippi have changed over time and differ depending on context.
- Missouri
- Legal Cannabis is fully legal for both medical and recreational use in Missouri.
- Montana
- Legal Cannabis is legal for both medical and recreational use in Montana.
- Nebraska
- Decriminalized In Nebraska, possession of cannabis up to 1 oz is decriminalized with fines for first offenses, but subsequent offenses can result in jail time.
- Nevada
- Legal Cannabis is legal for both medical and recreational use in Nevada, with specific possession limits.
- New Hampshire
- Decriminalized Cannabis is illegal for all purposes but possession of up to 0.75 oz is decriminalized, while medical use is legal with restrictions.
- New Jersey
- Legal Recreational cannabis is legal in New Jersey with possession limits of up to 6 oz.
- New Mexico
- Legal Cannabis is legal for both medical and recreational use in New Mexico.
- New York
- Legal Cannabis is fully legal for recreational use in New York with possession limits and medical use also allowed.
- North Carolina
- Decriminalized Cannabis possession is not a criminal offense for amounts up to 42 g (1.5 oz) or less, but remains illegal otherwise.
- North Dakota
- Varies by region Cannabis laws vary in North Dakota depending on the amount possessed and whether it's for recreational or medical use.
- Ohio
- Legal Recreational cannabis is fully legal in Ohio for possession and purchase.
- Oklahoma
- Legal (Medical) Cannabis is legal for recreational use up to certain limits and also legal for medical purposes.
- Oregon
- Legal Cannabis is fully legal for recreational use in Oregon with specific limits on possession.
- Pennsylvania
- Decriminalized Cannabis laws differ by location within Pennsylvania, with some areas decriminalized and others illegal.
- Rhode Island
- Legal Cannabis is legal for both medical and recreational use in Rhode Island with specific plant limits.
- South Carolina
- Legal (Medical) Cannabis oil with less than 0.9% THC is legal for medical use in South Carolina, specifically for treating children with severe epilepsy.
- South Dakota
- Illegal Recreational cannabis use is illegal in South Dakota due to a court ruling.
- Tennessee
- Legal (Medical) Cannabis is legal for medical purposes in Tennessee, but illegal for recreational use.
- Texas
- Varies by region Cannabis laws vary significantly across Texas; possession is illegal but de facto legal in some cities, while medical use is partially allowed.
- Utah
- Varies by region Cannabis laws vary by quantity in Utah: up to 1 oz is a misdemeanor, over 10 oz is a felony.
- Vermont
- Legal Vermont allows possession of up to 2 oz (57 g) cannabis for both medical and recreational use.
- Virginia
- Legal Recreational cannabis is fully legal in Virginia for possession and purchase.
- Washington
- Legal Recreational cannabis possession up to 1 oz (28 g) is permitted for anyone over 21 in Washington state.
- West Virginia
- Legal (Medical) Cannabis is legal for medical purposes but not recreational use in West Virginia.
- Wisconsin
- Varies by region Cannabis laws in Wisconsin differ by subnational region.
- Wyoming
- Illegal Possession and use of cannabis is illegal in Wyoming, with penalties including imprisonment and fines.
Nearby countries
- Bahamas
- Illegal Cannabis is illegal for all purposes.
- Mexico
- Legal Cannabis is legal for recreational use.
- Canada
- Legal Cannabis is legal for recreational use.
- Cuba
- Illegal Cannabis is illegal for all purposes.
- Bermuda
- Decriminalized Recreational possession is decriminalized — a fine at most, not a criminal offence.
- Belize
- Decriminalized Recreational possession is decriminalized — a fine at most, not a criminal offence.
Other laws in United States
- Drinking Age
- 21+
- Smoking Age
- 19+
- Psilocybin Mushrooms
- Varies by region
- Salvia Divinorum
- Varies by region
- Khat
- Illegal
- E-Cigarettes
- Regulated
Every law in the United States → · Where is cannabis legal? →
A visual reference compiled from Wikipedia’s law-by-country articles, not legal advice. Laws change and summaries simplify — check a primary source before relying on anything here.