The legal status of marijuana has been changing rapidly in the United States over the past few years. With more states legalizing recreational and medical use, this once-controversial substance is becoming more accepted by mainstream society. But despite the progress made, there are still many states that have yet to pass laws allowing for its sale and consumption. With the ever-changing cannabis laws across the country, it is no wonder that this area of law can be quite chaotic. Every state has its own individual set of rules and regulations which may even differ from county to county. It is truly a confusing landscape for those trying to stay on top of these changes! This article will look at each of the 50 US states’ current marijuana laws so you can stay up-to-date on your state’s stance on cannabis.

What States Have Legalized Medicinal Marijuana?

Since 1996, when California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana, numerous other states have followed suit in legalizing the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes. Currently, 37 states and Washington D.C. allow patients with certain qualifying conditions to access medical marijuana products under a doctor’s recommendation or prescription.

Since the legalization of medical marijuana in many states, some have made it easier for out-of-state patients to access cannabis products. Each state varies on how they treat out-of-state patients, for example, some states that have legalized the recreational use of marijuana, charge a lower tax rate for medical use purchases than recreational use purchases.

Some states, like Arizona and Utah, provide limited reciprocity for specific conditions because in-state residents may only be issued a medical marijuana card for specific conditions. Currently, 18 states and Washington D.C. accept out-of-state medical marijuana cards.

By having an accepted out-of-state card from any of these places you are able to purchase medical marijuana at a dispensary in any of those locations without needing to obtain an additional card. This allows travelers who may be visiting one of these areas with a valid prescription or recommendation from their home state to access medicinal cannabis while on vacation or business trips easily.

What States Have Legalized Recreational Marijuana?

As marijuana’s acceptance expands with each passing day, more states are turning toward full legalization of recreational use. Currently, 20 states and Washington D.C. have legalized recreational marijuana use for adults over 21 years old. However, each state varies on its specific regulations regarding the sale and distribution of cannabis so it is important to research your local laws before consuming any type of product within their jurisdiction.

The recreational marijuana laws across the United States vary widely from state to state. For example, the amounts you can purchase or carry varies from state to state. Some states allow you to grow and cultivate for personal use while others do not. The laws are also changing rapidly so it’s important to stay up to date on current legislation and any changes that occur.

Which States Only Allow the Medicinal Use of CBD Oil Containing THC?

In addition to the states that have legalized medical and recreational marijuana, there are also 7 states where only medicinal CBD oil containing THC is allowed. The states that currently allow this form of cannabis consumption are Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin. Each state varies on the threshold of how much THC is allowed in CBD oils, for example in Tennessee the maximum amount of THC permitted in medicinal CBD oil is only 0.9% while in Georgia up to 5% THC is allowed.

What States Approved Legislation in the November 2022 Election?

During the elections that took place on November 8th, 2022, voters in Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota, and South Dakota cast their ballots on measures to legalize recreational marijuana. The measures passed in Maryland and Missouri, making them the 20th and 21st states to legalize recreational marijuana. While the law in Missouri has already taken effect, it’s likely that Missourians will not be able to purchase marijuana from a dispensary for some time, as no dispensaries have been opened as of the date this article was published. Maryland’s law will go into effect in July of 2023 and it’s likely that dispensaries will be ready to open as they have time to prepare before the new legislation takes effect in July.

In Summary

When it comes to marijuana legalization in each state, it can be a tricky landscape to navigate. Each state has its own unique laws regarding marijuana use, possession, and cultivation. It’s important to stay informed on your state’s stance on marijuana laws and make sure to always abide by the regulations. If you’re heading out of state, make sure to research if the destination allows for reciprocity or not.

For those who plan to visit a dispensary for the first time, it’s good to know that due to federal laws, you may not be able to pay for marijuana products the same way you do for groceries in a supermarket because many dispensaries use questionable payment processing solutions such as Cashless ATMs. In just the past few months, a new fully compliant debit card payment processing solution has been made available by Unity Payments, a leader in payment processing solutions for the CBD, Vape, and Marijuana industries. As this new solution gains awareness and dispensaries learn of this fully legal payment processing solution, it will become easier and safer for dispensaries to accept debit cards for payments in the same way that other retail stores do.