At the start of 2012, no state in the US had legalized recreational marijuana; 12 years later and zero has increased to 24.
Since Colorado and Washington legalized marijuana during the November, 2012 election, an average of around two states every year have done the same, with the number now nearing half of the entire country. Lawmakers and activists in numerous other states are working to make their state the next to follow suit.
Among the 24 states that have legalized marijuana, although their laws all have some similarities, they also contain a bevy of differences. With that in mind, below is a list of the 24 legal marijuana states, in alphabetical order along with a breakdown of their individual laws.
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Alaska
Year Legalized:
2014
Possession Limit:
One ounce of dried marijuana
Home Grow:
Up to six plants
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Arizona
Year Legalized:
2020
Possession Limit:
One ounce of dried marijuana, five grams of concentrates
Home Grow:
Up to six plants
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California
Year Legalized:
2016
Possession Limit:
28.5 grams of dried flower, eight grams of concentrates
Home Grow:
Up to six plants
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Colorado
Year Legalized:
2012
Possession Limit:
Two ounces of dried marijuana, two ounces of concentrates
Home Grow:
Up to six plants, three of which can be mature
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Connecticut
Year Legalized:
2021
Possession Limit:
One and a half ounces of dried flower and concentrates in public, five ounces in a locked container
Home Grow:
Up to six plants, three of which can be mature
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Delaware
Year Legalized:
2023
Possession Limit:
One ounce of dried flower, 12 grams of concentrates, marijuana-infused products with up to 750 mg of THC
Home Grow:
Not allowed
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Illinois
Year Legalized:
2019
Possession Limit:
30 grams of dried flower, five grams of concentrates
Home Grow:
Up to five plants
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Maine
Year Legalized:
2016
Possession Limit:
Two and a half ounces of marijuana, five grams of concentrates
Home Grow:
Up to three mature plants and 12 immature plants
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Maryland
Year Legalized:
2022
Possession Limit:
One and a half ounces of dried flower, 12 grams of marijuana concentrates, marijuana-infused products with no more than 1,250mg THC
Allow Home Grow?
Up to two plants
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Massachusetts
Year Legalized:
2016
Possession Limit:
One ounce of dried flower in public and 10 ounces at home, five
Home Grow:
Up to six plants
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Michigan
Year Legalized:
2018
Possession Limit:
Two and a half ounces of dried flower, 15 grams of concentrates
Allow Home Grow?
Less than 12 plants
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Minnesota
Year Legalized:
2023
Possession Limit:
Two ounces of dried flower, eight grams of concentrates, up to 800mg of THC in edible form
Home Grow:
Up to eight plants, four of which can be mature
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Missouri
Year Legalized:
2022
Possession Limit:
Two ounces of dried flower, eight grams of concentrates, up to 800mg of THC in edible form
Allow Home Grow?
Up to six plants
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Montana
Year Legalized:
2016
Possession Limit:
One ounce of dried flower, eight grams of concentrates, up to 800mg of THC in edible form
Home Grow:
Up to two mature plants
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Nevada
Year Legalized:
2016
Possession Limit:
Two and a half ounces of dried flower, 1/4 ounce of concentrates
Home Grow:
Up to 12 plants
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New Jersey
Year Legalized:
2020
Possession Limit:
Six ounces of dried flower, 17 grams of concentrates
Home Grow:
Not currently allowed
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New Mexico
Year Legalized:
2021
Possession Limit:
Two ounces of dried flower, 16 grams of concentrates, 80 mg of THC in edible form
Home Grow:
Up to six plants
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New York
Year Legalized:
2021
Possession Limit:
Three ounces of dried flower, 24 grams of concentrates
Home Grow:
Up to six plants, three of which can be mature
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Ohio
Year Legalized:
2023
Possession Limit:
70 grams of dried flower, 15 grams of concentrates
Home Grow:
Up to six plants
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Oregon
Year Legalized:
2014
Possession Limit:
Two ounces of dried flower, 16 ounces of marijuana-infused solids, 72 ounces of marijuana-infused liquids, one ounce of concentrates
Home Grow:
Up to four plants
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Rhode Island
Year Legalized:
2022
Possession Limit:
One ounce of dried flower and concentrates
Home Grow:
Up to six plants, three of which can be mature
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Vermont
Year Legalized:
2020
Possession Limit:
One ounce of dried flower, five grams of concentrates
Home Grow:
Up to two mature plants and four immature plants
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Virginia
Year Legalized:
2021
Possession Limit:
One ounce of dried flower
Home Grow:
Up to four plants
Note:
Virginia is the only legal marijuana state to not allow licensed sales. However, earlier this month both the House of Delegates and Senate passed competing measures that would legalize marijuana sales.
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Washington
Year Legalized:
2012
Possession Limit:
One ounce of dried flower, seven grams of concentrates, up to 100mg of THC in edible and liquid form
Home Grow:
Not allowed
For a look at the five states on track to legalize marijuana in 2024, click here.
