
Cannabis Legalization 2025: Federal vs. State
Why Federal Cannabis Laws Still Classify Marijuana as Illegal
Cannabis laws can be tricky because federal and state rules don’t always line up. While many states allow medical use—and some permit recreational use—the federal government still classifies cannabis as illegal under the Controlled Substances Act. This conflict can cause confusion, so it’s important to understand both your state’s laws and the federal stance.
State Cannabis Legalization: Medical vs. Recreational Use
Each state decides its own cannabis policies, which means rules vary widely across the country. Some states have fully legalized both medical and recreational cannabis, others allow only medical use, and a few continue to prohibit cannabis entirely.
Cannabis Laws by State in 2025
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Both Recreational & Medical Use Legal
Alaska – Recreational (2014); Medical (1998) https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/amco/home.aspx
Arizona – Recreational (2020), Medical (2010) https://www.azdhs.gov/licensing/marijuana/index.php
California – Recreational (2016), Medical (1996) https://cannabis.ca.gov
Colorado – Recreational (2012), Medical (2000) https://sbg.colorado.gov/marijuana
Connecticut – Recreational (2021), Medical (2012) https://portal.ct.gov/cannabis/knowledge-base/articles/statistics-and-documents?language=en_US
Delaware – Recreational (2023, in rollout), Medical (2011) https://omc.delaware.gov
District of Columbia (D.C.) – Recreational (2014), Medical (2010) https://abra.dc.gov
Illinois – Recreational (2019), Medical (2013) https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/prevention-wellness/medical-cannabis.html
Maine – Recreational (2016), Medical (1999) https://www.maine.gov/dafs/ocp/medical-use
Maryland – Recreational (2022), Medical (2013) https://cannabis.maryland.gov/Pages/home.aspx
Massachusetts – Recreational (2016), Medical (2012) https://masscannabiscontrol.com
Michigan – Recreational (2018), Medical (2008) https://www.michigan.gov/cra
Minnesota – Recreational (2023), Medical (2014) https://mn.gov/ocm
Missouri – Recreational (2022), Medical (2018) https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis
Montana – Recreational (2020), Medical (2004) https://mtrevenue.gov/cannabis
Nevada – Recreational (2016), Medical (2000) https://ccb.nv.gov
New Jersey – Recreational (2021), Medical (2010) https://www.nj.gov/cannabis
New Mexico – Recreational (2021), Medical (2007) https://www.rld.nm.gov/cannabis
New York – Recreational (2021), Medical (2014) https://cannabis.ny.gov
Ohio – Recreational (2023), Medical (2016) https://com.ohio.gov/divisions-and-programs/cannabis-control
Oregon – Recreational (2014), Medical (1998) https://www.oregon.gov/olcc/marijuana
Rhode Island – Recreational (2022), Medical (2006) https://dbr.ri.gov/rules-regulations-office-cannabis-regulation
Vermont – Recreational possession/homegrow (2018), retail sales (2022); Medical (2004) https://ccb.vermont.gov
Virginia – Recreational (2021); Medical (2020) https://cca.virginia.gov/
Washington – Recreational (2012), Medical (1998) https://lcb.wa.gov
Medical Use Only (Recreational Use Illegal, Comprehensive Medical Programs)
Alabama – Medical (2021) https://amcc.alabama.gov
Arkansas – Medical (2016) https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/Medical-marijuana
Florida – Medical (2016) https://knowthefactsmmj.com
Hawaii – Medical (2000) https://health.hawaii.gov/Medicalcannabis
Kentucky – Medical law passed (2023, rollout 2025) https://kymedcan.ky.gov/laws-and-regulations/Pages/default.aspx
Louisiana – Medical (2015) https://ldh.la.gov/Medicalmarijuana
Mississippi – Medical (2022) https://www.mmcp.ms.gov
New Hampshire – Medical (2013) https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/population-health/therapeutic-cannabis
Oklahoma - Medical (2018) https://oklahoma.gov/omma.html
Pennsylvania – Medical (2016) https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/programs/Medical%20Marijuana/Pages/Medical%20Marijuana.aspx
South Dakota - Medical (2021) https://southdakotastatecannabis.org
West Virginia – Medical (2017) https://omc.wv.gov/Pages/default.aspx
Utah – Medical (2018) https://Medicalcannabis.utah.gov
West Virginia – Medical (2017) https://omc.wv.gov/Pages/default.aspx
Low-THC / CBD Only (Recreational Use Illegal, Restricted Medical Programs)
Georgia – Low-THC oil (2015) https://gmcc.georgia.gov
Iowa – “Medical cannabidiol” (2017) https://idph.iowa.gov/omc
Indiana – Hemp CBD (2017) https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2017/bills/house/1148/details
Kansas – CBD only, no THC https://kansasstatecannabis.org/laws
Nebraska – Limited Medical CBD (2024) https://www.mpp.org/states/nebraska/
North Carolina – CBD (2014) https://www.ncdhhs.gov
South Carolina – CBD (2014) https://southcarolinastatecannabis.org/
Tennessee – Low-THC/CBD (2015) https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0490&ga=112
Texas – Low-THC Compassionate Use (2015) https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/compassionate-use-program
Wisconsin – CBD (2014) https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/healthAuthors/SA-Prevention/Opioids/PDF/MedicalMarijuanafactsheet.pdf
Wyoming – CBD (2015) https://wyomingcannabis.org/laws
Both Recreational & Medical Use Illegal
Idaho – No comprehensive Medical; only hemp CBD (2018) allowed https://odp.idaho.gov