24 states have legalized recreational marijuana. Here’s a look at the states most likely to become the 25th to legalize.
Legislative efforts to legalize recreational cannabis have been introduced in numerous states, but those listed below are the most likely to legalize cannabis this year.
Pennsylvania
Earlier this month, Governor Josh Shapiro gave his annual budget address, in which he called for marijuana to be legalized.
“I ask you to come together and send to my desk a bill that legalizes adult-use cannabis and expunges the records of people who have been convicted for nonviolent possession of small amounts of marijuana,” said Shapiro. “I know some are going to say it’s complicated, but it’s been talked about for years. And just in the last two years, Ohio to our west, Maryland to our south, have legalized, and we keep falling further behind.”
Shapiro said “I’ve been heartened by the fact that more and more Republicans and Democrats are coming on board, embracing liberty and economic opportunity. Let’s get it done.”
House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D) expressed confidence that legalization could move forward this session, saying “Yes, our numbers are close, but we are confident that we can get our numbers together and show that there is a path forward on cannabis.”
A Change Research poll commissioned by ResponsiblePA and released last week revealed that 68% of registered Pennsylvania voters support the legalization of adult-use cannabis, including a majority of Republicans.
New Hampshire
Last week, legislation to remove criminal penalties for possessing and using marijuana and marijuana-infused products for those 21 and older, effectively legalizing cannabis possession, was given approval by the New Hampshire House of Representatives. The measure faces an uphill battle in the Senate, but proponents are holding out hope that the growing bipartisan support for legalization will push lawmakers to get it across the finish line.
In 2024, the Senate passed a bill to legalize recreational cannabis, but it narrowly failed in the House. Despite Governor-elect Kelly Ayotte’s opposition to legalization, advocates are holding out hope that if a bill reaches her desk, she’ll choose to allow it to become law without a signature rather than veto it, especially if there’s bipartisan backing.
Polling released earlier this year found that 65% of New Hampshire voters support legalizing marijuana.
Wisconsin
Last week, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers included a proposal to legalize marijuana in his 2025-2027 budget request, marking another push to regulate and tax cannabis similar to alcohol.
On the same day, bipartisan legislation—Assembly Bill 50 and Senate Bill 45—was introduced in the state legislature to legalize and regulate marijuana for adult use.
The legislation allows Wisconsin residents 21 and older to possess up to two ounces of marijuana, while nonresidents could carry up to a quarter ounce. Home cultivation of up to six cannabis plants would also be permitted. However, the bill clarifies that it does not change federal law, which continues to prohibit marijuana possession and distribution.
Under the proposal, marijuana sales would be subject to a 15% wholesale excise tax and a 10% retail excise tax. The Department of Revenue would oversee licensing and regulation, with businesses competing for permits through a scoring system. Producers and processors would also need additional permits from the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
