The legalization of cannabis, and the establishment of recreational weed states in the United States, continues to occur on a state by state basis. While there has been significant speculation as to what it will take for cannabis to be legalized throughout all 50 states and territories, the timeline for this continues to be elusive.
Looking Back at History
The movement towards recreational marijuana states starts with medical marijuana in California. In 1996, California became the first state to legalize medical cannabis, sparking a trend that spread to a majority of states by 2016.
Recreational Weed States Arrive!
In 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize cannabis for recreational use. However, it would six more years before California recreational weed became available, and it’s been in the past couple of years we’ve seen an explosion of cannabis related businesses in California.
This table provides some key dates and milestones in cannabis’ journey from being illegal in all 50 states to being able to walk down the street in San Francisco smoking a joint without fear of being busted!
It’s truly amazing the amount of progress we’ve seen in the past 24 years – it’ll be even more amazing 24 years from now!
| 1996 | Medical Cannabis Legalization Begins |
|---|---|
| 1996 | California became the first state to legalize medical cannabis with the approval of Proposition 215.[23] Arizona also passed a medical cannabis ballot measure, but it was rendered ineffective on a technicality |
| 1998 | Oregon, Alaska, and Washington all legalized medical cannabis through ballot measure.[25] Nevada also passed a medical cannabis initiative, but it required second approval in 2000 to become law, as per the state constitution |
| 1999 | Maine legalized medical cannabis through ballot measure |
| 2000 | Hawaii became the first state to legalize medical cannabis through state legislature. Nevada and Colorado legalized medical cannabis through ballot measure |
| 2001 | Nevada decriminalized cannabis through state legislature |
| 2003 | Maryland passed legislation establishing reduced penalties for persons using cannabis due to a medical necessity (as established at trial) |
| 2004 | Vermont legalized medical cannabis through state legislature. Montana legalized medical cannabis through ballot measure |
| 2006 | Rhode Island legalized medical cannabis through state legislature |
| 2007 | New Mexico legalized medical cannabis through state legislature. |
| 2008 | New Mexico legalized medical cannabis through state legislature. |
| 2010 | New Jersey legalized medical cannabis through state legislature. Arizona legalized medical cannabis through ballot measure. California legislators reduce penalties for cannabis to a civil infraction |
| 2011 | Delaware legalized medical cannabis through state legislature. Connecticut decriminalized cannabis through state legislature |
| 2012 | Connecticut legalized medical cannabis through state legislature. Rhode Island decriminalized cannabis through state legislature |
| 2012 | Recreational Cannabis Legalization Begins |
| 2012 | Colorado and Washington become the first two states to legalize the recreational use of cannabis, following the passage of Amendment 64 and Initiative 502 |
| 2013 | Vermont decriminalized cannabis through state legislature. New Hampshire legalized medical cannabis through state legislature. Illinois legalized medical cannabis through state legislature |
| 2014 | Utah became the first state to pass a low-THC, high-CBD medical cannabis law. These laws allowed low-THC cannabis oil to be used for treatment of certain medical conditions with a doctor's recommendation. Maryland legislators decriminalized cannabis and approved a comprehensive medical cannabis law, expanding the very limited measure that was passed in 2003. Missouri decriminalized cannabis through state legislature. Minnesota legalized medical cannabis through state legislature. New York legalized medical cannabis through state legislature. Alaska and Oregon legalized recreational cannabis through ballot measure. By the end of the year ten more states passed low-THC, high-CBD medical cannabis laws: Alabama, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Mississippi, Tennessee, Iowa, South Carolina, Florida, North Carolina, and Missouri |
| 2015 | Delaware decriminalized cannabis through state legislature. Louisiana legislators passed a limited medical cannabis law. During the year, five more states passed low-THC, high-CBD medical cannabis laws: Virginia, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming |
| 2016 | Pennsylvania legalized medical cannabis through state legislature. Ohio legalized medical cannabis through state legislature. Illinois decriminalized cannabis through state legislature. California, Nevada, Maine, and Massachusetts approved ballot measures to legalize recreational cannabis. Arkansas, Florida, and North Dakota approved ballot measures to legalize medical cannabis. |
| 2017 | West Virginia legalized medical cannabis through state legislature. Indiana passed a low-THC, high-CBD medical cannabis law. New Hampshire decriminalized cannabis through state legislature. |
| 2018 | Vermont became the first state to legalize recreational cannabis through state legislature. Unlike all other states that had legalized recreational, however, no provision was made for commercial sale. Indiana legalized CBD for any use. Kansas legalized CBD for any use. Oklahoma legalized medical cannabis through ballot measure. Michigan approved a ballot measure to legalize recreational cannabis. Missouri and Utah approved ballot measures to legalize medical cannabis |
| 2019 | Hawaii decriminalized cannabis through state legislature |
| Source | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_cannabis_laws_in_the_United_States#State |
If you’d like to take a Tour of some of Sonoma County’s most interesting Dispensaries, check out our Cannabis Dispensary Tour!
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