Where is it legal to buy weed in the US?
Updated: Mar 3, 2021
Did you know medical marijuana has been legal in California since 1996?
California was the first state in the US to legalize cannabis for medical use. In 2016, marijuana finally became legalized for adult recreational use in the Golden State. It was the only state along with a handful of other states, including Washington, Oregon, and Colorado to make this move.
Federally, marijuana is still listed as a Schedule 1 substance along with heroin and ecstasy. Under Schedule 1 drug classification, the drug is not approved for medical use and is unsafe to use under medical supervision.
Cannabis Legalization
Cannabis legalization is tricky business.
Federally, weed is still not legal and as mentioned above, it is classified as a Schedule 1 drug. That means you can’t take your stash across borders and you can’t technically fly with it. Technically, you can still be prosecuted by Federal agents if they want to prosecute you for weed. There are cannabis laws in Congress that are being worked on towards marijuana legalization, but nothing has been fully approved.
In regards to individual states, the laws vary.
Some states are fully weed approved with adult and medical use for ages 21 and over being legal. Even then, the state laws differ in regulations in regards to how much, where and what is sold and what you can have on hand. Adult use generally means anyone 21 and over can consume cannabis recreationally and medicinal use means there has to be a medical reason for legal consumption. Most states require a valid doctor’s prescription or a medical marijuana card. Take a look at the chart below for links to state specifics.
Some states are still medical use only.
Some states allow usage of very low THC and/or CBD doses under special circumstances.
Some states have decriminalized certain offenses for marijuana possession even those where marijuana is fully illegal - meaning that there is usually no jail time for first time offenders of small amounts of marijuana possession. Decriminalization is different for each state so be sure to check out the links below.
Some states are a straight up NO to MJ.
Here is a breakdown of each state’s status and click for information on current/upcoming state laws:
States Voting on Legalization November 2020
Arizona
Voting on approval of adult use (21 and over). Ballot initiatives include having a regulatory system and criminal record expungement.
New Jersey
Voting on approval of adult use (21 and over).
South Dakota
Both medical and adult use. Measure 26 is for approval of a medical marijuana program for qualifying individuals, and Amendment A calls for the legalization of cannabis for adult use and the adoption of medical cannabis and hemp laws.
Montana
Two initiatives for adult use that go hand in hand. One allowing adult use and the other to establish the legal age of 21.
Mississippi
Two competing initiatives for medical use, one being more restrictive than the other.
Adult Use of Cannabis in California
In California, it is now legal for an individual to have up to an ounce of marijuana and securely grow up to 6 plants as long as you are 21.
So in California, if you are 21 and over, you can visit your local dispensary and purchase marijuana with proper ID - no medical card required!
Californians have an added bonus! You have access to Complement Cannabis jello shots and chewing gum. Available in California licensed dispensaries, Complement Cannabis offers innovative, fast-acting edibles that allow you to microdose, starting at 2.5mg up to 10mg per serving. Whether you are new to cannabis or a seasoned consumer, Complement Cannabis has something that will complement your lifestyle
Sources: Green State, DISA, Leafly, Weedmaps, NCSL, Washington Post, Marijuana Moment, NORML, MMP, CNN,