Where is marijuana use legal in the U.S.?
Although marijuana remains a controlled substance, 35 states and Washington, D.C., have legalized its use for medical purposes. Of these 35 states, 18 (including Washington, D.C.) have also made recreational marijuana use legal: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.
Marijuana use remains illegal in the remaining 15 U.S. states, with eight of those states allowing a narrow exception for its use in treating seizures, epilepsy, or other qualifying conditions.
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Map of State Marijuana Usage Laws
The map below shows the statewide legalization status of marijuana as of October 2021.
NOTE: This map does not reflect any local (city, county, etc.) rules or regulations. Please refer to each state’s official website for more detailed information about the specific regulations and laws governing marijuana usage, as applicable.