With Maryland and Missouri legalizing marijuana this election, there are now 21 states in the U.S. with legal marijuana.
Despite marijuana remaining illegal federally, 21 states with a combined 130 million residents have now legalized marijuana. 11 years ago, this number was zero.
The rapid pace of marijuana reform across the United States, and the now bipartisan nature of its support, puts pressure on the federal government to legalize or at least decriminalize the plant on the national level. Although legislation has been introduced in the House and Senate to do both, they have failed to garner enough among lawmakers to be passed into law.
The 130 million residents now in legal marijuana states represent nearly 40% of the total population of the country (331 million).
Here are the states that have legalized recreational marijuana:
- Colorado
- Washington
- Alaska
- Oregon
- California
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Nevada
- Michigan
- Vermont
- Illinois
- Arizona
- Montana
- New Jersey
- New York
- Virginia
- New Mexico
- Connecticut
- Rhode Island
- Maryland
- Missouri
On March 7, 2023 Oklahoma voters will have the opportunity to make their state the 22nd to legalize marijuana.
