Although 39 states have legalized medical marijuana and 24 have legalized it for recreational use, 11 states continue to prohibit marijuana entirely—both for medical and recreational purposes.
These states have not passed any meaningful form of medical cannabis access, and while a few allow limited use of non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD), full-spectrum marijuana remains illegal across the board.
Here are the 11 states where marijuana is illegal for all uses:
Idaho
Idaho has some of the nation’s strictest marijuana laws. All forms of marijuana remain prohibited, including for medical use. Lawmakers have repeatedly rejected reform efforts, and possession of even small amounts remains a misdemeanor offense.
Indiana
While Indiana allows the use of CBD oil with low THC for epilepsy, it does not have a comprehensive medical marijuana program. Efforts to advance marijuana policy reform in recent legislative sessions have stalled.
Kansas
Kansas allows limited use of CBD oil with no THC, but broader medical marijuana use is not allowed. Proposals for a regulated medical program have been introduced but have failed to pass into law. However, proponents of medical cannabis in Kansas recently received a boost of optimism when the governor said earlier this month “it’s finally time to legalize medical cannabis”.
North Carolina
Despite some legislative momentum in recent years, North Carolina has not enacted any form of legal marijuana use. A medical marijuana bill passed the Senate in 2023 and 2024 but failed to get a House vote.
South Carolina
South Carolina allows low-THC CBD oil for patients with epilepsy but has no medical or recreational marijuana laws. In 2025, the Senate passed the Compassionate Care Act, but the bill has yet to advance in the House.
Tennessee
Tennessee has a limited CBD program for seizure patients but prohibits all forms of marijuana use otherwise. Multiple legislative attempts to legalize medical marijuana have been unsuccessful.
Texas
Texas has a limited low-THC program for certain medical conditions, but full-strength marijuana remains illegal. A handful of reform bills were filed in 2025, though none have yet advanced.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin allows CBD oil use with a physician’s recommendation, but efforts to establish a broader medical marijuana program have consistently failed. The governor supports legalization, but Republican lawmakers have blocked it.
Wyoming
Wyoming remains one of the most prohibitionist states, with no allowances for marijuana use beyond CBD with less than 0.3% THC. Legislative and ballot initiatives have so far failed to produce reform.
Iowa
Iowa allows only limited use of low-THC cannabidiol for a narrow set of medical conditions under its Medical Cannabidiol Act, but it does not have a comprehensive medical marijuana program. High-THC marijuana remains fully illegal.
Georgia
Georgia has a low-THC oil program for specific conditions, but the state does not allow access to full-strength marijuana for medical or recreational use. Despite multiple legislative attempts, a broader medical marijuana program has not been implemented.
