State Marijuana Laws in America A Place to Call Home
As cannabis culture evolves in the United States, more connoisseurs are looking to find the ideal place to call home, where they can indulge in their passion legally and comfortably. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or new to the green scene, choosing the right state to live in can significantly enhance your experience. For enthusiasts looking to relocate to a marijuana-friendly state, it’s essential to know where you can legally indulge and even cultivate your own plants. This comprehensive guide provides a comprehensive overview of marijuana legalization across all fifty states, detailing their current status, specific requirements for use, and any home growing rules.

Alabama
Legalization Status: Medical use only
Requirements: Patients must receive a recommendation from a state-licensed physician.
Home Growing Rules: Not permitted.

Alaska
Legalization Status: Both medical and recreational use
Requirements: Adults aged 21 and over can possess up to one ounce.
Home Growing Rules: Home cultivation is allowed with a limit of six plants (maximum of 12 per household}, half must be immature.
Medical marijuana became legal in Alabama in 2021 but has yet to be sold as of January 2025. Registered patients aged 19 and older with qualifying conditions may purchase and possess medical marijuana. Patients may not use edibles or smokable marijuana flower.
Alaska began decriminalizing marijuana laws in 1975. In 1998, Alaska became one of the first states to legalize medical marijuana and in 2015, Alaskan voters legalized recreational marijuana use. Resident adults may transfer up to an ounce and up to six immature plants to another adult without renumeration.

Arizona
Legalization Status: Both medical and recreational use
Requirements: Adults aged 21 and over can possess up to one ounce.
Home Growing Rules: Home cultivation is allowed with a limit of six plants per person and twelve per household.

Arkansas
Legalization Status: Medical use only
Requirements: Patients must obtain a medical marijuana card.
Home Growing Rules: Not permitted.
Arizona legalized medical marijuana in 2010 through Proposition 203. It took another decade to make recreational marijuana legal in the state. Arizona prohibits anyone from using marijuana and marijuana products in public.
Arkansas legalized medical marijuana through Issue 6 in 2016. Patients aged 18 and over may purchase up to 2.5 ounces every 14 days. Edibles may not contain more than 10% THC.

California
The Cannabis Capitol
Legalization Status: Both medical and recreational use
Requirements: Adults aged 21 and over can possess up to one ounce.
Home Growing Rules: Residents can grow up to six plants per household.

Colorado
Pioneers of Legalization
Legalization Status: Both medical and recreational use
Requirements: Adults aged 21 and over can possess up to one ounce.
Home Growing Rules: Up to six plants per person, with three or fewer being mature, and a maximum of twelve plants per household.
California, home to one of the largest and most diverse cannabis markets in the world, legalized medical marijuana in 1996 and recreational use in 2016. The Golden State’s cannabis culture is vibrant and diverse, with events such as the Emerald Cup showcasing the state’s best strains.
Colorado was one of the first states to legalize recreational marijuana in 2012 through Amendment 64. The voters further moved their state into unchartered territory with the legalization of Psilocybin mushrooms in 2022. Home growers must cultivate in an enclosed, locked area, out of public view.

Connecticut
Legalization Status: Both medical and recreational use
Requirements: Adults aged 21 and over can possess up to 1.5 ounces.
Home Growing Rules: Home cultivation of up to six plants is allowed with half being immature (maximum 12 plants per household).

Delaware
Legalization Status: Both medical and recreational use
Requirements: Adults 21 and older can possess up to an ounce.
Home Growing Rules: Not permitted.
Connecticut legalized medical marijuana in 2012 and recreational use in 2021. Patients 18 and older may purchase 5 ounces within a 30 day period. However, minor patients may not purchase smokable flower. Adults may possess up to 1.5 ounces on their person and a maximum of 5 ounces in a sealed container.
Delaware legalized medical marijuana in 2011 and recreational use in 2023. Recreational sales have not begun as of January 2025. Transferring cannabis products between adults is permitted as long as no reciprocity is involved. Qualifying patients may possess up to 6 ounces.

Florida
Legalization Status: Medical use only
Requirements: Patients must obtain a medical marijuana card.
Home Growing Rules: Not permitted.

Georgia
Legalization Status: Limited medical use only (low THC oil)
Requirements: Qualifying conditions only.
Home Growing Rules: Not permitted.
Florida legalized medical marijuana in 2014 to adult patients with severe epilepsy or terminal illness. In 2016, an initiative passed to broadly expand the eligible conditions. Florida voters almost legalized recreational marijuana use in 2024 but failed to secure the required 60% super majority, with a very close 56%.
Georgia has very harsh punishment for the possession of marijuana. The possession of more than an ounce of marijuana has a mandatory minimum incarceration of 12 months with the possibility of sentencing up to 40 years and $1,000,000 in fines.
Hawaii
Legalization Status: Medical use only
Requirements: Patients must obtain a medical marijuana card.
Home Growing Rules: Registered patients can grow up to ten plants.
Idaho
Legalization Status: Illegal for all uses
Requirements: N/A
Home Growing Rules: N/A
Hawaii legalized medical marijuana in 2000. Patients are allowed to carry up to 4 ounces and possess up to 7 plants. Hawaii allows reciprocity between states for out-of-state patients. Frequent visitors may apply for a Hawaii 329 card.
Idaho’s penalties for marijuana possession are severe. All forms of marijuana are prohibited. Several attempts to legalize medical marijuana and the use of low-THC CBD oils have failed.
Illinois
Legalization Status: Both medical and recreational use
Requirements: Adults aged 21 and over can possess up to 30 grams.
Home Growing Rules: Medical patients can grow up to five plants.
Indiana
Legalization Status: Illegal for all uses
Requirements: N/A
Home Growing Rules: N/A
Illinois legalized recreational marijuana in 2020, allowing adults to possess up to 30 grams. Medical patients can buy up to 2.5 ounces every 14 days.
In 2022, Governor Eric Holcomb revealed that cannabis may remain illegal in Indiana until it becomes legal at the federal level. Indiana did allow limited medical use of low-THC high-CBD oils for uncontrollable seizures in 2017.
Iowa
Legalization Status: Limited medical use (CBD only)
Requirements: Qualifying conditions only.
Home Growing Rules: Not permitted.
Kansas
Legalization Status: Illegal for all uses
Requirements: N/A
Home Growing Rules: N/A
Medical cannabidiol containing a maximum of 3% THC was legalized in 2014 for use in patients with qualifying conditions. Marijuana will likely not be legalized in Iowa until the plant is declassified as a controlled substance.
Marijuana is illegal in the state of Kansas. A first-time offender of cannabis possession could be incarcerated for 6 months and fined $1000. Several bills were introduced to legalize medical marijuana in 2023.
Kentucky
Legalization Status: Medical use only
Requirements: Patients must obtain a medical marijuana card.
Home Growing Rules: Not permitted.
Louisiana
Legalization Status: Medical use only
Requirements: Patients must obtain a medical marijuana card.
Home Growing Rules: Not permitted.
Kentucky legalized medical marijuana in 2023 with sales to start in January 1, 2025. Patients can apply for medical cards on that date but availability is still unknown.
Louisiana legalized medical marijuana in 1978 but did not create the framework for regulation until 2015. A long list of bills shaping the marijuana landscape are underway, likely paving the way for recreational use.
Maine
Legalization Status: Both medical and recreational use
Requirements: Adults aged 21 and over can possess up to 2.5 ounces.
Home Growing Rules: Residents can grow up to six mature plants.
Maryland
Legalization Status: Both medical and recreational use
Requirements: Adults aged 21 and over can possess up to 1.5 ounces.
Home Growing Rules: Adults ages 21 and over may cultivate up to 2 plants.
Maine legalized recreational marijuana in 2016 with the passing of Question 1. Residents can cultivate up to three flowering plants, 12 immature plants, and unlimited seedlings. The plants must be grown in a secure area, not visible to the public.
Maryland legalized recreational marijuana on May 3, 2023 following voters approving a referendum to legalize adult-use marijuana in November 2022. Medical Marijuana was signed into legislation by Governor O’Malley in May 2013.
Massachusetts
Legalization Status: Both medical and recreational use
Requirements: Adults aged 21 and over can possess up to one ounce.
Home Growing Rules: Residents can grow up to six plants per person and twelve per household.
Michigan
Legalization Status: Both medical and recreational use
Requirements: Adults aged 21 and over can possess up to 2.5 ounces.
Home Growing Rules: Residents can grow up to twelve plants.
Massachusetts embraced recreational marijuana with the passing of Question 4 in 2016. Residents are permitted to grow up to six plants per person, with a maximum of 12 plants per household. The plants must be grown in a location that is not visible to the public and secured from unauthorized access.
Michigan’s generous allowance of 12 plants per household is one of the highest in the nation. These must be grown within an enclosed and locked area, away from public view. Michigan legalized marijuana in 2018.
Minnesota
Legalization Status: Both medical and recreational use
Requirements: Adults 21 and older can possess up to 2 ounces in public.
Home Growing Rules: Adults can grow up to 8 plants, half mature.
Mississippi
Legalization Status: Medical use only
Requirements: Patients must obtain a medical marijuana card.
Home Growing Rules: Not permitted.
Minnesota legalized medical marijuana in 2014 but smokable flower was not legal until 2022. In 2023, voters approved recreational marijuana use for persons 21 and older. Recreational users can possess up to 2 pounds in private and 2 ounces in public. Recreational sales are scheduled to begin in 2025.
Medical marijuana was legalized in Mississippi in 2022. Qualified patients may purchase up to 3.5 grams of medical marijuana per day or 21 grams per week. Mississippi law recommends severe penalties for unlawful possession of marijuana in any form.
Missouri
Legalization Status: Both medical and recreational use
Requirements: Adults aged 21 and over can possess up to three ounces.
Home Growing Rules: Residents can cultivate up to six flowering plants, six vegetative plants, and six seedlings with a cultivation permit (maximum 12 each per household).
Montana
Legalization Status: Both medical and recreational use
Requirements: Adults aged 21 and over can possess up to one ounce.
Home Growing Rules: Medical patients can grow up to four plants per person. Recreational home growers can only grow two plants per person.
Missouri entered the medical marijuana scene with the passage of Amendment 2 in 2018. In 2022, recreational use was legalized with the passage of Amendment 3, a much more broad application of cannabis use laws.
Medical marijuana was legalized in Montana in 2004. Patients can grow up to four seedlings and four mature plants. Recreational marijuana was legalized in Montana in 2020. Recreational home growers can only grow two mature plants and two seedlings.
Nebraska
Legalization Status: Medical use only (2024)
Requirements: pending lawsuit
Home Growing Rules: pending lawsuit
Nevada
Legalization Status: Both medical and recreational use
Requirements: Adults aged 21 and over can possess up to one ounce.
Home Growing Rules: Residents living more than 25 miles from a dispensary can grow up to six plants per person.
Nebraska voters approved medical cannabis in the November 2024 ballot and the governor legalized it. However, the result of the ballot is being contested. Opponents have sued to block the implementation of the law by calling into question the validity of the signatures.
Nevada legalized recreational marijuana in 2016 through Question 2. However, home cultivation is only allowed if you live more than 25 miles from a dispensary. Plants must be kept out of public view and secured from unauthorized access.
New Hampshire
Legalization Status: Medical use only
Requirements: Patients must obtain a medical marijuana card.
Home Growing Rules: Not permitted.
New Jersey
Legalization Status: Both medical and recreational use
Requirements: Adults aged 21 and over can possess up to six ounces.
Home Growing Rules: Not permitted for recreational users; medical patients are allowed up to six plants.
New Hampshire legalized medical marijuana use for qualifying conditions in 2013. Patients, to include reciprocity for out-of-state patients, may purchase up to 2 ounces. The state continues to attempt passage of recreational use bills.
New Jersey voters legalized medical marijuana in 2010 and recreational use in 2021. This law also decriminalized possession and removed marijuana as a schedule 1 drug.
New Mexico
Legalization Status: Both medical and recreational use
Requirements: Adults aged 21 and over can possess up to two ounces.
Home Growing Rules: Residents can grow up to six mature plants.
New York
Legalization Status: Both medical and recreational use
Requirements: Adults aged 21 and over can possess up to three ounces.
Home Growing Rules: Residents can grow up to six plants per person and twelve per household starting in 2022.
New Mexico legalized medical marijuana in 2007 followed by recreational marijuana in 2021. You must be at least 18 and registered as a patient to possess medical marijuana.
New York voters legalized medical marijuana in 2016 and recreational use in 2021 with the commencement of recreational sales in 2024. It is permissible to smoke marijuana in public areas where cigarette smoking is permitted.
North Carolina
Legalization Status: Limited medical use (CBD only)
Requirements: Qualifying conditions only.
Home Growing Rules: Not permitted.
North Dakota
Legalization Status: Medical use only
Requirements: Patients must obtain a medical marijuana card.
Home Growing Rules: Not permitted.
Marijuana is illegal in North Carolina. However, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians legalized marijuana on their lands in 2023. Only patients with intractable epilepsy are permitted to use CBD oil. Several bills are moving through Congress with the intent to legalize medical marijuana.
North Dakota legalized medical marijuana in 2016 which allowed persons with specific medical conditions to purchase up to 3 ounces. In 2017, legislation was passed to remove home cultivation of marijuana from the Act.
Ohio
Legalization Status: Both medical and recreational use
Requirements: Adults, 21 and over, may possess up to 2.5 ounces (18 for medical marijuana).
Home Growing Rules: Adults, 21 and over, may cultivate up to six plants (maximum twelve per household).
Oklahoma
The Wild West of Weed
Legalization Status: Medical use only
Requirements: Patients must obtain a medical marijuana card.
Home Growing Rules: Registered patients can grow up to six mature plants and six seedlings (no household maximum).
Ohio voters made recreational marijuana legal on November 7, 2023. Medical marijuana was legalized in 2016, with strict limitations on frequency and quantity of purchase. Ohio also limits the number of commercial medical marijuana grower licenses with only 35 awarded in 2021.
Oklahoma experienced a booming medical marijuana market after SQ 788 passed in 2018 with the highest percentage of registered patients in the nation. Patients must obtain a medical marijuana license to cultivate plants. The plants must be grown in a secured, private location, out of public view.
Oregon
Legalization Status: Both medical and recreational use
Requirements: Adults aged 21 and over can possess up to one ounce in public and eight ounces at home.
Home Growing Rules: Residents can grow up to four plants per household.
Pennsylvania
Legalization Status: Medical use only
Requirements: Patients must obtain a medical marijuana card.
Home Growing Rules: Not permitted.
Oregon legalized recreational cannabis in 2014 through Measure 91. Medical patients can possess up to 24 ounces. Home growers must simply grow their plants out of public view.
Pennsylvania legalized medical marijuana use on April 17, 2016. Patients may possess up to a 90 day supply (quantity and type of marijuana products as recommended by a registered pharmacist at a licensed dispensary).
Rhode Island
Legalization Status: Both medical and recreational use
Requirements: Residents can purchase up to one ounce.
Home Growing Rules: Registered patients can grow up to twelve plants. Residents can grow up to six plants recreationally.
South Carolina
Legalization Status: Limited medical use (CBD only)
Requirements: Qualifying conditions only.
Home Growing Rules: Not permitted.
Rhode Island legalized medical marijuana in 2006 and recreational use in 2022. Patients can grow up to twelve mature plants and twelve immature plants whereas recreational users can only grow three of each.
South Carolina has only legalized the use of low THC/high CBD oil for qualifying patients suffering from chronic seizures. The Compassionate Care Act, SB 423, passed the House in 2024 and remains in committee.
South Dakota
Legalization Status: Medical use only (Recreational prohibition overturned and pending legislation)
Requirements: Patients must obtain a medical marijuana card.
Home Growing Rules: Not permitted.
Tennessee
Legalization Status: Limited medical use (CBD only)
Requirements: Qualifying conditions only.
Home Growing Rules: Not permitted.
South Dakota legalized medical marijuana in 2021 but the recreational measure was contested and failed. Legalization for recreational marijuana has failed at the ballot every year since.
Tennessee marijuana use is illegal in every form. Only CBD oil with less than 0.3% THC is available for limited legal use. Possession of even a small quantity has severe punishment.
Texas
Legalization Status: Limited medical use (low THC CBD oil)
Requirements: Qualifying conditions only.
Home Growing Rules: Not permitted.
Utah
Legalization Status: Medical use only
Requirements: Qualified patients must obtain a medical marijuana card.
Home Growing Rules: Not permitted.
Texas has a limited medical marijuana program that allows patients use of low-THC cannabis containing not more than .5% THC. All patients must register with the state. Harsh penalties are enacted for the possession of any quantity of marijuana or marijuana products.
Utah legalized medical marijuana in 2018 but purchasing flower and edibles is prohibited. Acceptable forms of medical cannabis in Utah include aerosols, tablets, concentrated oils, liquid suspensions, capsules, gelatinous cubes, transdermal preparations, wax or resin, and vape pens.
Vermont
Legalization Status: Both medical and recreational use
Requirements: Adults aged 21 and over can possess up to one ounce.
Home Growing Rules: Residents can grow up to two mature and four immature plants.
Virginia
Legalization Status: Both medical and recreational use
Requirements: Adults aged 21 and over can possess up to one ounce.
Home Growing Rules: Residents can grow up to four plants per household.
Vermont initially legalized medical cannabis in 2004, and then in 2018, it also made recreational cannabis legal. Medical users are permitted to cultivate up to 9 plants, while recreational are allowed no more than 6 plants.
Virginia voters legalized marijuana in 2021 but dispensaries have not opened as of January 2025. GOP lawmakers delayed the enactment of rules and regulations until Democrats took control in 2023. They passed a bill proposing a May 2025 start date that was later vetoed by Governor Youngkin.
Washington
Legalization Status: Both medical and recreational use
Requirements: Adults aged 21 and over can possess up to one ounce.
Home Growing Rules: Medical patients can grow up to six plants; recreational home growing is not permitted.
West Virginia
Legalization Status: Medical use only
Requirements: Qualifying patients must obtain a medical marijuana card.
Home Growing Rules: Not permitted.
Washington voters approved Initiative 502 in 2012, legalizing recreational marijuana. Home cultivation is only allowed for medical marijuana patients. All home-growing must occur in an enclosed, locked area.
Medical marijuana became legal in 2017 when Governor Jim Justice signed Senate Bill 386. With many bills still moving through committees in 2024, West Virginia anticipates the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Wisconsin
Legalization Status: Illegal for all uses
Requirements: N/A
Home Growing Rules: N/A
Wyoming
Legalization Status: Limited medical use (CBD only)
Requirements: Qualifying conditions only.
Home Growing Rules: Not permitted.
Wisconsin has legalized the use of CBD products containing no more than 0.3% THC. Governor Evers has attempted to introduce legalization several times but lawmakers eliminated the cannabis provisions. Recently, the GOP leaders in the Wisconsin legislature signaled a willingness to push for a limited medical marijuana legalization.
Attempts to legalize or decriminalize marijuana in Wyoming have failed repeatedly. Patients with intractable epilepsy are permitted to use marijuana-derived CBD oils, but there are no legal means of obtaining such products within Wyoming.
Conclusion
Choosing the perfect state to live in as a marijuana connoisseur depends on what you value most—be it an established cannabis culture, expansive home-growing laws, or a vibrant community. States like California, Oregon, and Colorado offer extensive freedoms and thriving markets, while places like Michigan and Nevada stand out for their bountiful cultivation allowances and engaging environments. Oklahoma and Missouri present robust medical programs, whereas Arkansas caters to those seeking a supportive medical community amid natural beauty.
As the cannabis landscape continues to evolve, staying informed about local laws and community developments will ensure you make the most of your green lifestyle. Every state mentioned here offers unique advantages, making them ideal destinations for American connoisseurs eager to embrace the expanding world of legal marijuana.