Twenty-four U.S. states have legalized recreational marijuana as of 2025, marking a dramatic shift in drug policy over the past decade.
The movement began in 2012 with voter initiatives in Colorado and Washington, and has since expanded through a mix of ballot measures and legislative actions. Below is a state-by-state timeline of legalization, in order of the year each state approved adult-use cannabis, along with key policy details such as possession limits, retail provisions, and tax structures.
Colorado (2012) – Ballot Initiative
Colorado voters approved Amendment 64 in November 2012. Under the approved law, those 21 and over may possess up to 2 ounces of cannabis. Licensed retail stores have been operational since 2014, and home cultivation of up to six plants is allowed. Colorado imposes a 15% excise tax on wholesale cannabis transfers and a 15% special sales tax at retail, in addition to standard sales tax.
Washington (2012) – Ballot Initiative
Washington State also legalized adult-use cannabis in 2012 via Initiative 502, the same day as Colorado. The law allows individuals aged 21 and older to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana, and up to seven grams of concentrates. Retail cannabis stores opened in 2014 under a tightly controlled licensing system; home cultivation for recreational use is not allowed. Washington imposes a 37% excise tax on retail cannabis sales, plus standard sales tax.
Alaska (2014) – Ballot Initiative
Alaska voters approved Ballot Measure 2 in November 2014, two years after Colorado and Washington became the first to do so. Adults 21 and older may possess up to 1 ounce of cannabis and cultivate up to six plants at home. Alaska allows retail cannabis stores, which began operations in 2016. The state imposes a $50-per-ounce excise tax on marijuana flower sold from cultivators to retailers.
Oregon (2014) – Ballot Initiative
Oregon voters passed Measure 91 in November 2014, the same day as Alaska. Adults can possess up to 2 ounces in public and 8 ounces at home, and grow up to four plants. Retail stores opened in 2015. Oregon imposes a 17% state tax on marijuana sales, with local jurisdictions able to add up to 3%.
California (2016) – Ballot Initiative
Voters approved Proposition 64 in 2016. Adults may possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana and 8 grams of concentrate, and grow up to six plants. Licensed sales began in 2018. California imposes a 15% excise tax and the standard sales tax. A previous cultivation tax was repealed in 2022.
Nevada (2016) – Ballot Initiative
Nevada approved Question 2 in 2016. Adults may possess up to 1 ounce of cannabis or 1/8 ounce of concentrate. Home cultivation is allowed only for those living more than 25 miles from a retail store. Sales began in 2017. Nevada charges a 15% wholesale excise tax and a 10% retail excise tax, on top of regular sales taxes.
Massachusetts (2016) – Ballot Initiative
Massachusetts legalized marijuana through a ballot question in 2016. Adults may possess up to 1 ounce publicly and up to 10 ounces at home, and grow six plants per person. Retail sales began in 2018. The state imposes a 10.75% excise tax, a 6.25% sales tax, and up to 3% local tax.
Maine (2016) – Ballot Initiative
Maine voters narrowly approved Question 1 in 2016. Adults can possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and grow up to six plants. Retail sales began in 2020. Maine taxes marijuana with a weight-based cultivation tax and a 10% retail sales tax.
Michigan (2018) – Ballot Initiative
Michigan voters approved Proposal 1 in 2018. Adults may possess up to 2.5 ounces in public and 10 ounces at home, and grow up to 12 plants. Retail sales began in late 2019. Michigan imposes a 10% excise tax and a 6% sales tax.
Vermont (2018) – Legislative Action
Vermont legalized marijuana through the legislature in 2018, the first state to do so. Adults can possess up to 1 ounce and grow two mature and four immature plants. Retail sales were authorized in 2020 and began in 2022. Vermont levies a 14% excise tax and a 6% sales tax.
Illinois (2019) – Legislative Action
Illinois legalized adult-use cannabis legislatively in 2019. Adults can possess 30 grams of marijuana, 5 grams of concentrate, and 500 mg of THC in infused products. Sales began in 2020. Taxes are tiered: 10% for low-THC products, 20% for edibles, and 25% for high-THC products, plus standard sales tax and up to 3% local tax.
Arizona (2020) – Ballot Initiative
Arizona voters passed Proposition 207 in 2020. Adults can possess up to 1 ounce (5 grams concentrate) and grow six plants. Sales began in January 2021. The state imposes a 16% excise tax on retail marijuana, plus sales tax.
Montana (2020) – Ballot Initiative
Montana voters approved Initiative 190 in 2020. Adults can possess 1 ounce of marijuana or 8 grams of concentrate and grow two mature and two seedling plants. Sales began in 2022. The state imposes a 20% tax on recreational sales.
New Jersey (2020) – Ballot Initiative
New Jersey voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2020. Adults may possess up to 6 ounces. Home cultivation is not allowed. Sales began in 2022. The state levies a 6.625% sales tax, up to 2% local tax, and a weight-based excise fee.
New York (2021) – Legislative Action
New York legalized marijuana legislatively in 2021. Adults can possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis and 24 grams of concentrate, and grow six plants per household. Sales began in late 2022. Taxes include a 13% excise tax and a 9% wholesale tax.
Virginia (2021) – Legislative Action
Virginia legalized possession and home-grow in 2021. Adults can possess up to 1 ounce and grow four plants per household. Retail sales have not yet launched. A 21% excise tax was approved but not yet implemented.
New Mexico (2021) – Legislative Action
New Mexico passed legalization in 2021. Adults can possess up to 2 ounces of flower, 16 grams of concentrate, or 800 mg of infused products, and grow six plants. Sales began in 2022. A 12% excise tax is in place, rising gradually to 18% by 2030.
Connecticut (2021) – Legislative Action
Connecticut legalized marijuana in 2021. Adults can possess 1.5 ounces publicly and 5 ounces at home, and grow up to six plants. Retail sales began in 2023. The state imposes a potency-based THC tax, a 6.35% sales tax, and a 3% local tax.
Rhode Island (2022) – Legislative Action
Rhode Island legalized in 2022. Adults can possess 1 ounce publicly and 10 ounces at home, and grow three mature and three immature plants. Sales began in December 2022. The tax structure includes a 10% excise tax, 7% sales tax, and 3% local tax.
Maryland (2022) – Ballot Initiative
Maryland voters approved legalization in 2022. Adults may possess 1.5 ounces or 12 grams of concentrate and grow two plants. Sales began in July 2023. The state levies a 9% excise tax.
Missouri (2022) – Ballot Initiative
Missouri voters approved Amendment 3 in 2022. Adults may possess up to 3 ounces and grow six plants. Sales began in February 2023. The state imposes a 6% sales tax and allows up to 3% local tax.
Delaware (2023) – Legislative Action
Delaware legalized marijuana in 2023. Adults may possess 1 ounce and 12 grams of concentrate. Home-grow is not allowed. Retail sales are pending. A 15% excise tax is set to apply to future retail sales.
Minnesota (2023) – Legislative Action
Minnesota passed legalization in 2023. Adults can possess 2 ounces publicly, 2 pounds at home, 8 grams of concentrate, and 800 mg of edibles, and grow eight plants. Sales are expected in 2025. The state will impose a 10% gross receipts tax.
Ohio (2023) – Ballot Initiative
Ohio voters passed Issue 2 in 2023. Adults may possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and 15 grams of concentrate, and grow six plants (12 per household). Retail sales are expected to begin in 2024. The law includes a 10% excise tax.
The Road Ahead
Several states are actively working toward legalization, with some much closer to it becoming reality than others. For example:
Florida is pursuing a 2026 recreational cannabis ballot initiative through the Smart & Safe Florida campaign after a 2024 effort narrowly failed.
New Hampshire’s House of Representatives has given approval to two different legalization bills this session, with one scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate on April 15 (that measure was approved in the House overwhelmingly, 208 to 125.
In Pennsylvania, lawmakers recently introduced bipartisan legalization bills, and Governor Josh Shapiro has called on the legislature to act and included legalization in his budget proposal.
Hawaii has come close to legalizing cannabis in recent years, with a bill passing the Senate and three House committees last year, but it has faced delays in the House Finance Committee. Proponents are planning a large push in 2026 to get legalization passed the finish line.
In Oklahoma, an initiative to legalize marijuana was recently introduced, with proponents aiming for the November 2026 ballot.
In addition, numerous other states have had legalization bills introduced this session, with more expected to be filed in the coming days and weeks.
