So we thought this might be a good time to catch everyone up on which states have passed pro-marijuana legalization laws, and which types. Without getting into the weeds about the minor differences in each state law, here is the basic breakdown:
Medical & Recreational are legal in (4): Alaska, Colorado, Oregon & Washington
Medical only is legal in (19): Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.
Possible up & coming:
- Ohio – pro legalization group is on track to spend about $2M to get a state constitutional amendment passed this fall. Currently both medical and recreational marijuana use are illegal in OH. The amendment would make both legal for adults 21 and older.
- Nevada – while the first medical marijuana dispensary in NV finally opened up outside of Reno in July, Nevada is expected to see a measure on the ballot in 2016 to legalize recreational use.
- Wyoming – a govt. task force has been set up to study legalization. The governor is against it. Meanwhile, a pro-legalization group has begun the process to get a measure on the ballot in WY in 2016. The last time any grassroots initiative like this passed in Wyoming was 1991.
Here’s how the law breaks down in our own great home state of Colorado for recreational users:
- Age limit: 21 and older
- Possession: One ounce per person
- Purchase: One ounce per transaction for residents; quarter ounce for non-residents
- Home cultivation: Six marijuana plants (three mature)
- Consumption*: State law prohibits open and public consumption of marijuana. It doesn’t prohibit against consumption in private over-21 clubs. Some municipalities are beginning to ban or regulate those types of clubs while others, like Denver, will possibly put it up to a vote of the people in the near future.
*Recreational consumption is still an area of the law where most local governments aren’t sure what they are doing so there is still a lot of confusion surrounding the issue. As of right now, it’s better to be safer than sorry! Here’s a recent article on the issue.*
Hopefully this helps you sound smart at dinner parties with your friends! You can find detailed information for yourself at https://www.mpp.org/ and http://goodtoknowcolorado.com/.
