More than 180 million people—54.7% of the U.S. population—live in states that have legalized marijuana sales for adult use, according to recent U.S. Census data.
Currently, 23 states have legalized recreational marijuana sales (Virginia has legalized possession, but not sales). Of those, 21 have already launched licensed retail sales. Delaware and Minnesota are the two exceptions, with both states on track to begin legal sales either later this year or in early 2026.
The combined population of these 23 legal marijuana states is approximately 181.3 million, based on the most recent census figures. That includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
With sales already underway in these states, more than half of the U.S. population now lives under policies that treat marijuana like alcohol, with licensed retailers, age restrictions, and tax revenue supporting state and local programs.
Every state that has legalized recreational cannabis has done so since 2012.
