In what states is weed legal? Here is the list.

Nearly a decade has passed since the voters of Colorado and Washington decided at the ballot box to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. In the time since, sixteen states and the District of Columbia have followed suit. New Jersey, which voted for legalization in 2020, authorized its first, legal sales of marijuana to adults 21 and older to begin on April 21— one day after the annual celebration of cannabis culture. All but a handful of 11 states have OK’d its medical use and legalizing the substance at the federal level has picked up new momentum. The House recently passed a bill to decriminalize marijuana, and another bill that would legalize the plant is in the works in the Senate. 

In the executive branch, President Biden announced that he planned to pardon those who received a federal conviction for the possession of marijuana. The Justice Department will begin issuing certificates of pardons “in the coming days.” The president’s pardon also blocks future federal prosecutions for simple possession. However, many drug convictions occur at the state level.  As such, Biden has called for governors to follow his example and is requesting that both the Departments of Health and Human Services and Justice take a look at what category marijuana could be classified under according to federal law. 

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Biden’s marijuana pardon:Here’s where the laws stand in each state

What states have legalized recreational marijuana? 

The number of states that have legalized recreational use has risen steadily over the last 10 years. New York became the 15th state to legalize weed last year, but retail sales in the state aren’t expected to begin until late 2022 at the earliest.  Every state on this list had authorized the use of cannabis for medical purposes prior to full legalization.

Change is coming: Biden’s big move on marijuana

A historic move:Biden pardons those with federal convictions for possessing marijuana

Marijuana is allowed for medical treatment in most of the country. Only 11 states prohibit the drug completely. Here are the states that allow medical marijuana only. Mississippi and Alabama are the latest states to legalize medical pot, but it is still unavailable for purchase as the states try to establish regulations.