What States Have Recreational Weed? Read Before Travelling

America’s history with recreational weed is somehow long and short, but is nonetheless interesting: Long in the sense that it was first documented in the States over 100 years ago, but short in that it has only been legal for about 10 years.

Despite this nearly century-long gap, several states have legalized weed for recreational use, averaging 1-2 states legalizing per year. Colorado and Washington broke the mold and made history in 2012, but what other states have legalized since then? Which of the 50 states would allow you to smoke a blunt even if you don’t live there?

Luckily, we have them all listed below.

Medical vs. Recreational Weed

As you may have seen by the title, this list does not include states that legalize medicinal marijuana. While 37 states may have legalized for medical use, only half of them allow you to smoke recreationally.

For further clarification, medicinal just means that you have a condition that requires you to consume weed as per your prescribing doctor, and you have a medical card that allows you to do so. States that only allow this don’t usually have a lot of dispensaries. If they do, they cannot legally sell to you if you are not a qualified patient with a medical card.

Which is Federally Legal?

Between the two, neither is actually federally legal. Every individual state can vote on whether or not they can legalize weed, and that is why we have it, but the U.S. government classifies weed as a Schedule I drug, making it illegal under federal law which makes consumption, sales, and possession illegal on federally controlled land.

What Does Recreational Weed Legalization Mean

Recreational weed legalization laws refer to the permits that allow people to use, possess, or cultivate cannabis for non-medical purposes.

This means that adults over 21 years old can possess or grow weed without a prescription or medical certificate. Each state has legal limitations that allow specific individuals to possess a certain amount of cannabis at a time. Many states also allow cultivation of the plant for personal use, with a limitation on the number of plants.

This is done so people cultivate weed for recreational purposes only and do not use it or grow it for industrial purposes.

There are regulated markets that allow licensed businesses to sell cannabis edibles, flowers, and concentrates.

Differences Between Recreational and Medical Marijuana Laws

We have different recreational and medical laws to regulate the cannabis market. Both have different purposes and different regulations. For instance, recreational marijuana laws are for ease of enjoyment, relaxation, and social purposes. Medical marijuana is prescribed for the treatment of various health conditions such as anxiety, epilepsy, etc., where the patients will need a doctor’s recommendation or note.

While both recreational and medical marijuana laws aim to regulate cannabis use, they serve different purposes and have distinct regulations.

Today, we have a variety of recreational cannabis products which contain high-THC strains for enjoyment. Medical cannabis products have higher CBD content and aim to minimize its psychoactive effects and address medical ailments.

States that have Recreational Weed

While not every legalized state allows recreational use, a total of 18 states have legalized it since 2012. The laws obviously change across state lines, but gone are the days (in these 18 states) when toking up would land you in jail.

Alaska

For passionate growers, Alaska obviously allows personal use but also 6 plants in your possession, so long as no more than three are currently budding. In 2014, Alaska became the first state to legalize since 2012’s historic year.

Arizona

Arizona’s 2020 Proposition brought an end to weed-related offenses, records with nothing more than these offenses were expunged and all their adults can now buy and grow. Happy day!

California

Weed culture and meme culture practically go hand in hand, so you have probably seen the memes aimed at California’s stoners. It comes as no surprise that Cali not only legalized personal use but also consumption lounges.

The Golden State legalized it in 2016 and you can now consume in public at designated spots, and carry up to an ounce in public.

Colorado

The literal OG Kush of recreational weed in America, Colorado became one of the very first to legalize it back in 2012. It is known that their laws can change across counties, but Colorado still allows adults to hold one ounce and grow up to 6 plants at once.

Connecticut

For anyone over the age of 21, Connecticut legalized recreational use in July of 2021 (just in time for the 4th), and allows every resident to have a max of 5 ounces locked away at home and medical card holders to grow up to 6 plants at once.

Delaware

Delaware legalized marijuana for recreational use in 2023. Those individuals over the age of 21 can possess up to an ounce of marijuana and grow up to 6 plants.

Illinois

In the great state of Illinois, tourists can have up to 15 grams with a valid government ID while the lucky residents can have up to 30 grams of flower and 5 grams of concentrate.

Maine

Maine takes a bit of a step further in that you can carry up to 2.5 grams out of the house. You can also own a total of 12 weed plants, as long as no more than 6 are flowering.

But wait, there’s more! You can also have up to 5 grams of concentrates under Maine’s laws.

Massachusetts

Like most other states, Massachusetts does not allow weed of any kind on federal or public land. But unlike other states, they allow you to have up to 10 ounces of flower, if the other 9 ounces are locked away.

Michigan

Michigan has recently moved medicinal and recreational transactions to separate locations, but you can still buy up to 2.5 grams of weed and 12 plants per person (just keep them hidden).

Montana

You may not be able to partake as a tourist, but Montana will sell you medicinal marijuana regardless of your state, and any residents who are 21 and up can buy recreationally.

Nevada

If not for Nevada’s weed laws (and your amazing support), there would be no Sanctuary.

Since 2016, Nevada has allowed residents to have an eighth ounce of concentrates along with an ounce of flowers. However, we got approved for consumption lounges in 2021 so you could ‘taste’ outside of your home later this year.

New Jersey

New Jersey has also recently allowed for consumption lounges, but tourists are not yet able to get in on the action. However, they recognize current medical cards from all 50 states, so no worries if you travel there with your card.

New Mexico

A limit of 12 cannabis plants per household is allowed under New Mexico’s HB2 legislature, while their residents can now possess 2 ounces of flower or less.

New York

Certain weed-related offenses are now expunged under New York’s 2021 laws, residents can buy up to 24 ounces of concentrate or 3 ounces of flower, but every household can now have up to 5 pounds of flower. Don’t smoke it all at once!

Oregon

In addition to allowing up to an ounce in public, Oregon allows you to grow up to four plants instead of the usual 6. However, you can legally own up to 8 ounces at one time.

Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, marijuana was legalized in 2022, and adults can possess up to one ounce and grow up to two plants only.

Vermont

For a total of 6 plants per household, Vermont residents can grow two plants at a time as long as the other four have yet to flower. Apart from that, their new legislature also allows you to possess up to an ounce of weed.

Virginia

Since July 1, 2021 Virginians can have up to one ounce of weed in public as long as they don’t smoke it outside the house. Also, each house can grow a max of 4 plants at one time.

Washington

Nearly identical to Colorado, Washington legalized recreational use that exact same year and also allows adults over 21 to have up to an ounce of flower, or up to 7 grams of concentrates.

The (Legalized) Territories

As of February of 2022, all U.S. territories except American Samoa have legalized weed for medical use. They remain the only U.S. territory where weed is completely illegal with recreational use and cultivation being outlawed as well.

However, two territories are the polar opposite in having full legalization: Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. In November of 2014, Guam became the first territory in U.S. history to legalize medical use before the Virgin Islands decriminalized it that next month. Following medical use, legal recreational use would follow in 2018 for the Mariana Islands, leading to the Governor of Guam legalizing it in 2019 with hopes of regulating it like alcohol.

Could more states legalize it?

Never say never! Washington and Colorado seemed to start a trend of states legalizing personal use, so who’s to say that cycle could not continue? With upcoming elections, a rise in cannabis use, and a push for legislation reform, more states could legalize it over the next few years.

Emerging Trends

With the rapid advancements in the industry, we are going toward legalizing cannabis. This is giving rise to specific emerging trends, such as:

• There is growing support for both the medical and recreational uses of cannabis across the States.
• More people and states are advancing globalization through voting and other legislative measures.
• More research is being conducted to find cannabis’ potential medicinal benefits so more and better products and treatments can be developed.

Conclusion

If we think about what States allow recreational weed? The number continues to grow and evolve with the changing times. Public opinion is more accepting of the drug and its benefits today, and state laws are moving toward its legalization for both medical and recreational purposes.

As a result, there are more opportunities for weed growers, consumers, and users, leading to economic growth and social reforms.