Short answer
Cannabis legality depends on two things: where you are and what kind of cannabis you mean. In the US, 24 states plus Washington, DC have legalized cannabis for adults 21 and older. Most other states allow medical cannabis in some form. Hemp-derived CBD with 0.3% THC or less is legal at the federal level, but state rules still vary. Federal law still lists marijuana as a controlled substance.
Where Is Cannabis Legal in 2025? State-by-State Guide
The three legal buckets
It helps to separate the rules into three groups. A state can fall into more than one group depending on the product.
Where Is Cannabis Legal for Recreational Use? State List for 2024
- Adult-use legal: Adults can possess and use cannabis, and regulated retail sales may be open or still rolling out.
- Medical only: Patients with qualifying conditions can use cannabis with a recommendation or registry card.
- CBD or limited-THC only: Hemp CBD or low-THC products are allowed, but cannabis with normal THC levels is not.
States with adult-use cannabis
These states have legalized cannabis for adults: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. Washington, DC also allows adult possession. Retail sales are not open everywhere yet. Virginia, for example, allows adult possession but has not launched a full retail market. Delaware and Ohio are still building out their programs.
where is cannabis legal for recreational use
Medical-only states and limited programs
Many states allow medical cannabis but not adult-use sales. Examples include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, and West Virginia. Some states run tightly limited programs. Georgia and Texas allow low-THC products for specific conditions. Kentucky has a medical program that is set to launch in 2025. If you live in a medical-only state, check the state health department for the current qualifying conditions and product limits.
Where Is Cannabis Legal? US Map Guide by State Type
Where cannabis is still illegal
A small number of states have no comprehensive medical or adult-use cannabis law. Examples include Idaho, Kansas, South Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Some of these states still allow hemp-derived CBD, and some allow low-THC products with a doctor's note. The details matter. A product that is legal in one state can be illegal 20 miles away.
What about CBD?
The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act and legalized hemp-derived products with no more than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis. That is why most CBD sold online is federally legal. State law can still be stricter. Some states require lab testing, child-resistant packaging, or permits for CBD sellers. A few restrict CBD in food and drinks. I look for a batch-specific certificate of analysis (COA) from an ISO-accredited lab. That document should show cannabinoid content and pass results for pesticides, heavy metals, and residual solvents.
Check before you buy or travel
- Confirm the THC limit in your state. Hemp CBD should stay at or below 0.3% THC.
- Look for a COA that matches the batch number on the package.
- Read the label for total CBD and THC per serving, not just the bottle size.
- Do not carry cannabis or CBD across state lines without checking both states' rules.
- Ask the seller where the product was manufactured and tested.
Laws change every year. If you are unsure, check your state agriculture department or health department before you buy.