Legal marijuana markets have generated billions of dollars in sales during the first eight months of 2026, but adjusting those totals for population produces a very different ranking than simply looking at which states sell the most marijuana.
California remains the country’s largest legal marijuana market in raw dollars, generating more than $2.5 billion in sales from January through August. On a per capita basis, however, California is in the bottom three of the rankings.
Using monthly sales figures compiled by The Marijuana Herald for January through August and the latest U.S. Census Bureau state population estimates, Michigan ranks first among recreational marijuana states with available statewide sales data, followed by New Mexico, Montana and Massachusetts.
The analysis includes 22 of the 23 states with operating recreational marijuana markets. Alaska is excluded because comparable statewide retail sales data is not available, and Virginia is excluded because licensed adult-use sales don’t begin until July 1, 2027.
The calculation includes combined legal marijuana sales, including both recreational and medical purchases in states that operate both markets. Altogether, the 22 states included in the analysis generated approximately $16.2 billion in legal marijuana sales during the first eight months of 2026.
Population figures are based on the Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 estimates for July 1, 2025, the most recent completed set of state population estimates.
Here are the 22 recreational marijuana states with available statewide sales data, ranked from highest to lowest per capita legal marijuana sales through August 2026.
1. Michigan — $200.54 Per Capita
January-August sales: approximately $2.03 billion
Population: 10,127,884
2. New Mexico — $182.22 Per Capita
January-August sales: approximately $387.31 million
Population: 2,125,498
3. Montana — $177.51 Per Capita
January-August sales: approximately $203.19 million
Population: 1,144,694
4. Massachusetts — $166.38 Per Capita
January-August sales: approximately $1.19 billion
Population: 7,154,084
5. Missouri — $164.71 Per Capita
January-August sales: approximately $1.03 billion
Population: 6,270,541
6. Oregon — $143.51 Per Capita
January-August sales: approximately $613.32 million
Population: 4,273,586
7. Vermont — $136.09 Per Capita
January-August sales: approximately $87.73 million
Population: 644,663
8. Maryland — $128.82 Per Capita
January-August sales: approximately $807.08 million
Population: 6,265,347
9. Colorado — $126.26 Per Capita
January-August sales: approximately $759.16 million
Population: 6,012,561
10. Nevada — $123.63 Per Capita
January-August sales: approximately $405.79 million
Population: 3,282,188
11. Maine — $116.97 Per Capita
January-August sales: approximately $165.5 million
Population: 1,414,874
12. Arizona — $109.08 Per Capita
January-August sales: approximately $831.59 million
Population: 7,623,818
13. Washington — $92.25 Per Capita
January-August sales: approximately $738.08 million
Population: 8,001,020
14. New Jersey — $80.34 Per Capita
January-August sales: approximately $767.14 million
Population: 9,548,215
15. Illinois — $79.99 Per Capita
January-August sales: approximately $1.02 billion
Population: 12,719,141
16. Delaware — $71.18 Per Capita
January-August sales: approximately $75.45 million
Population: 1,059,952
17. Rhode Island — $70.15 Per Capita
January-August sales: approximately $78.18 million
Population: 1,114,521
18. Ohio — $69.38 Per Capita
January-August sales: approximately $825.7 million
Population: 11,900,510
19. New York — $65.53 Per Capita
January-August sales: approximately $1.31 billion
Population: 20,002,427
20. California — $64.16 Per Capita
January-August sales: approximately $2.53 billion
Population: 39,355,309
21. Connecticut — $53.88 Per Capita
January-August sales: approximately $198.73 million
Population: 3,688,496
22. Minnesota — $32.76 Per Capita
January-August sales: approximately $191 million
Population: 5,830,405
Note: Unlike most states on the list, Minnesota’s recreational industry is still in the early stages of development, meaning its position could change considerably as additional retailers and other licensed marijuana businesses open.
| Rank | State | Jan.–Aug. 2026 Sales | Population | Sales Per Capita |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan | $2.031B | 10,127,884 | $200.54 |
| 2 | New Mexico | $387.31M | 2,125,498 | $182.22 |
| 3 | Montana | $203.19M | 1,144,694 | $177.51 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $1.190B | 7,154,084 | $166.38 |
| 5 | Missouri | $1.033B | 6,270,541 | $164.71 |
| 6 | Oregon | $613.32M | 4,273,586 | $143.51 |
| 7 | Vermont | $87.73M | 644,663 | $136.09 |
| 8 | Maryland | $807.08M | 6,265,347 | $128.82 |
| 9 | Colorado | $759.16M | 6,012,561 | $126.26 |
| 10 | Nevada | $405.79M | 3,282,188 | $123.63 |
| 11 | Maine | $165.50M | 1,414,874 | $116.97 |
| 12 | Arizona | $831.59M | 7,623,818 | $109.08 |
| 13 | Washington | $738.08M | 8,001,020 | $92.25 |
| 14 | New Jersey | $767.14M | 9,548,215 | $80.34 |
| 15 | Illinois | $1.017B | 12,719,141 | $79.99 |
| 16 | Delaware | $75.45M | 1,059,952 | $71.18 |
| 17 | Rhode Island | $78.18M | 1,114,521 | $70.15 |
| 18 | Ohio | $825.70M | 11,900,510 | $69.38 |
| 19 | New York | $1.311B | 20,002,427 | $65.53 |
| 20 | California | $2.525B | 39,355,309 | $64.16 |
| 21 | Connecticut | $198.73M | 3,688,496 | $53.88 |
| 22 | Minnesota | $191.00M | 5,830,405 | $32.76 |
