Aug 29 / CannAdvice RN, LLC

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.

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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.

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Cannabis Laws by State in 2025

To help you navigate these differences, we’ve created a state-by-state cannabis law guide covering all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The guide groups states by legalization status as of June 2025 and includes helpful links to government websites and organizations. Information provided is also based on data from the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). 
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