How Many States Have Legalized Marijuana in the US?

Ohio became the 24th state to legalize marijuana use for recreational purposes when its voters approved Issue 2.

In 1996, California became the first state to allow medical marijuana use. Since then, 40 states plus the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis use for medical purposes. Twenty-four states and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis use for adults or recreational purposes.

Read more: Where Is Marijuana Legal in America?

Where marijuana is legal in the United States as of 2024
Where marijuana is legal in the United States as of 2024

The History of Cannabis Cultivation in the U.S

American cannabis culture has its roots in the early colonists who grew hemp for rope and textiles. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, cannabis was also extensively used as a patent medicine; it was first listed in the US Pharmacopeia in 1850. Cannabis was made illegal in 1937 when the Marijuana Tax Act was passed due to political and racial reasons, yet its legal position is currently shifting in several states.

Voters in Colorado and Washington approved ballot measures on election day in 2012, making those states the first in the nation to legalize cannabis for recreational use and sale.

Despite marijuana's federal prohibition, twenty-three additional states, Washington, D.C., and Guam legalized the drug in the ensuing eleven years as public support for the idea grew quickly.

Cannabis Industry in the U.S

These days, most Democratic lawmakers are in favor of legalizing marijuana, and several Republicans are as well.

The United States of America is the country that buys the most weed in the world. The U.S. legal cannabis industry took some hits in 2022, but as we mentioned in our article – 35 Cities with the Highest Weed Consumption per Capita – annual revenue of the industry is estimated to reach $31.8 billion by the end of 2023, growing to $50.7 billion by 2028. The main factors propelling the market's expansion are the growing acceptance of cannabis use for medicinal purposes and the increasing legalization of the drug.

Growth is also likely to come from new states. Three states started selling cannabis in the first two months of 2023: two for adult use (Connecticut and Maryland) and one for medical use (Mississippi).

Twenty-four states – along with Washington, D.C. and Guam – have acted to legalize recreational marijuana.
Twenty-four states – along with Washington, D.C. and Guam – have acted to legalize recreational marijuana.

The Full List of States Where Legal Recreational Marijuana Has Been Approved

  • Colorado
  • Washington
  • Alaska
  • Oregon
  • Washington, D.C.
  • California
  • Maine
  • Massachusetts
  • Nevada
  • Michigan
  • Vermont
  • Guam
  • Illinois
  • Arizona
  • Montana
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • Virginia
  • New Mexico
  • Connecticut
  • Rhode Island
  • Maryland
  • Missouri
  • Delaware
  • Minnesota
  • Ohio

Conclusion

An increasing majority of Americans support the legalization of recreational marijuana. An April 2022 CBS News/YouGov poll revealed that a majority of Americans, specifically two-thirds, support the legalization of recreational marijuana use at both the federal level and within their respective states. A prior survey conducted by the Pew Research Center yielded comparable levels of endorsement for the legalization of marijuana.

According to Gallup, Democrats are more like to endorse legalization, although a majority of Republicans currently express support for it. In 2019, 81% of respondents under the age of 30 expressed support for marijuana legalization, while a previous version of the Gallup survey revealed that 62% of Americans aged 50 to 64 also backed legalization.

Fact About U.S Citizenship: Benefits, Responsibilities And FAQs Fact About U.S Citizenship: Benefits, Responsibilities And FAQs

Although having US citizenship has many advantages, there are also certain obligations. Check out the privileges and obligations of US citizenship.
Top 10 Happiest States in the U.S Top 10 Happiest States in the U.S

Which state you live in will make a significant difference in your happiness and mental health.
How To Check and Pay The Traffic Fine Online In The U.S (Update) How To Check and Pay The Traffic Fine Online In The U.S (Update)

Understanding traffic fines in the United States might be complicated, especially when you get yourself caught for violating the laws.
Facts: Largest and Smallest State by Population in the USA (2024 Update) Facts: Largest and Smallest State by Population in the USA (2024 Update)

As of January 2024, the United States (US), comprising 50 states and other dependent areas, has the largest population in the world, with 339,996,563 individuals. ...