Cannabis possession limits are the maximum amounts of marijuana or THC product a person may hold under state law. Most adult-use states cap flower at 1 to 3 ounces for adults 21 and older, with lower limits for concentrates and edibles measured in milligrams of THC. There is no federal possession limit for marijuana outside approved research, and federal law still lists cannabis as a Schedule I drug.
cannabis possession limits for medical patients
How possession limits are counted
States measure limits by product weight, not by joint count or gummy count. The cap is also split by product type, so a legal ounce of flower does not equal a legal ounce of wax. THC content drives the difference.
Cannabis Possession Limits 2025: What You Need to Know
- Flower: 1 to 3 ounces (28 to 85 grams) in most adult-use states.
- Concentrates: 5 to 15 grams in most states, because THC is far stronger.
- Edibles: counted in milligrams of THC, often 100 mg per package and 10 mg per serving.
Medical versus recreational limits
Registered medical patients often may hold more than recreational users. Michigan and Massachusetts allow several ounces at home for patients while capping public possession near 1 to 2.5 ounces. A medical card can also raise the concentrate cap in states like Arizona and Nevada.
Cannabis Possession Limits for Medical Patients
Public versus private possession
Many states allow more at home than in public. Oregon permits 1 ounce in public and 8 ounces at home. Michigan allows 2.5 ounces in public and up to 10 ounces at home. Carrying product between properties or into another state can break the law even when the total sits under the local cap.
Cannabis Possession Limits: What You Need to Know
State cannabis possession limits at a glance
The amounts below cover recreational flower for adults 21 and older. Rules change, so confirm current numbers with your state cannabis regulator before you buy. Several states listed here also set separate caps for hash, oil, and edibles.
- California: 28.5 g flower, 8 g concentrate.
- Colorado: 1 oz flower, 8 g concentrate.
- Illinois: 30 g flower, 5 g concentrate.
- Massachusetts: 1 oz in public, 10 oz at home.
- Michigan: 2.5 oz in public, 10 oz at home, 15 g concentrate.
- Nevada: 1 oz flower, 3.5 g concentrate.
- New York: 3 oz flower, 24 g concentrate.
- Oregon: 1 oz in public, 8 oz at home.
- Washington: 1 oz flower, 7 g concentrate, 16 oz solid edibles.
States without adult-use programs take a different path. Florida permits medical cannabis only, with a rolling 35-day flower cap for patients. Texas runs a narrow low-THC program. Idaho, Kansas, and a few other states ban THC in nearly all forms.
Federal law and cannabis possession
Federal law sets no possession limit for marijuana. The Controlled Substances Act lists cannabis as Schedule I, which makes any amount a federal crime outside approved research. A first simple possession offense carries up to one year in prison and a $1,000 minimum fine under 21 U.S.C. 844.
State legalization does not shield you on federal ground. National parks, national forests, military bases, and federal buildings enforce federal rules, even in adult-use states. A legal ounce in your trunk becomes a federal matter the moment you drive into a national park.
Crossing state lines with cannabis is a federal offense on its own. An amount that is fine in Oregon and fine in Washington is still illegal to move between them.
Do CBD products have possession limits?
Hemp-derived CBD with no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight is legal under federal law and does not count against marijuana possession limits. The 2018 Farm Bill drew that line. A lab-tested CBD oil with a certificate of analysis showing THC below 0.3% is not treated as marijuana.
State rules still differ. A handful of states add their own caps on hemp products, and a few restrict THC in any amount. If a CBD label shows more than 0.3% THC, or shows no THC figure at all, treat it as a marijuana product under your state limit.
This is one reason lab results matter. A certificate of analysis from an independent lab tells you the exact THC percentage, which is the number a state counts.
What happens if you carry more than the limit?
Going over the cap can turn a legal amount into a criminal charge. Most states stack penalties by weight, so a small overage may bring a fine while larger amounts bring misdemeanor or felony counts.
- Civil penalty: a ticket and fine, common for a small overage.
- Misdemeanor: possible jail time and higher fines.
- Felony: reserved for large amounts, intent to sell, or repeat offenses.
An open container in a vehicle can trigger a separate charge in most states, even when the total weight sits under the cap. Keep cannabis sealed and out of reach while driving.
How to stay within the limit
- Check your state regulator's current numbers before you shop, since caps change with new laws.
- Track flower, concentrate, and edible totals on separate lines. Each has its own cap.
- Keep the receipt. It shows purchase weight and helps if an officer questions the amount.
- Leave the product at home when you cross into another state or onto federal land.
- Buy CBD from brands that publish third-party lab results, so you know the THC content before you carry it.
FAQ
Is 1 ounce a federal cannabis limit?
No. One ounce is a common state cap, not a federal one. Federal law bans possession of any amount of marijuana outside approved research.
Do possession limits apply to CBD oil?
Not if the product is hemp-derived and stays at or below 0.3% delta-9 THC. Above that threshold it falls under state marijuana limits.
Can medical patients hold more than recreational users?
Yes in most medical states. Registered patients often may hold several ounces at home while recreational users are capped at 1 to 3 ounces. Some states also raise the concentrate cap for patients.
What is the limit in states without legal cannabis?
There is no legal possession limit in those states. Any amount of marijuana is illegal, though some allow low-THC CBD for medical use.
Does a home grow change my possession limit?
It can. States with home grow rules often allow more total cannabis on the property than the public carry cap, but the plants count toward that total in several states.