As of October 2021, a significant number of states in the USA have legalized medicinal cannabis, recognizing its therapeutic potential and providing patients with alternative treatment options. Here is a detailed overview of the states that have legalized medicinal cannabis and the year each state passed its legislation.
Alaska (1998)
Alaska was among the first states to legalize medicinal cannabis with the passage of Ballot Measure 8.
Arizona (2010)
Arizona voters approved Proposition 203, allowing the use of medicinal cannabis for patients with specific medical conditions.
Arkansas (2016)
The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment, Issue 6, was approved by voters to legalize medicinal cannabis.
California (1996)
California became the first state to legalize medicinal cannabis with Proposition 215, also known as the Compassionate Use Act.
Colorado (2000)
Colorado legalized medicinal cannabis with Amendment 20, paving the way for its comprehensive cannabis regulations.
Connecticut (2012)
Connecticut passed legislation allowing medicinal cannabis with the approval of House Bill 5389.
Delaware (2011)
Delaware legalized medicinal cannabis through Senate Bill 17, known as the Delaware Medical Marijuana Act.
Florida (2016)
Florida voters approved Amendment 2, expanding the state’s medicinal cannabis program significantly.
Hawaii (2000)
Hawaii became the first state to legalize medicinal cannabis through legislative action with Senate Bill 862.
Illinois (2013)
Illinois legalized medicinal cannabis with the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act.
Louisiana (2015)
Louisiana passed legislation allowing medicinal cannabis with Senate Bill 143, also known as the Alison Neustrom Act.
Maine (1999)
Maine legalized medicinal cannabis with the passing of Ballot Question 2.
Maryland (2014)
Maryland passed House Bill 881 to legalize medicinal cannabis.
Massachusetts (2012)
Massachusetts legalized medicinal cannabis with the approval of Question 3.
Michigan (2008)
Michigan voters approved the Michigan Compassionate Care Initiative, also known as Proposal 1.
Minnesota (2014)
Minnesota legalized medicinal cannabis with the passing of Senate File 2470.
Mississippi (2020)
Mississippi voters approved Initiative 65, legalizing medicinal cannabis.
Missouri (2018)
Missouri voters passed Amendment 2 to legalize medicinal cannabis.
Montana (2004)
Montana legalized medicinal cannabis with the passing of Initiative 148.
Nevada (2000)
Nevada voters approved Question 9, legalizing medicinal cannabis.
New Hampshire (2013)
New Hampshire passed House Bill 573, legalizing medicinal cannabis.
New Jersey (2010)
New Jersey legalized medicinal cannabis with the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act.
New Mexico (2007)
New Mexico passed the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act to legalize medicinal cannabis.
New York (2014)
New York legalized medicinal cannabis with the Compassionate Care Act.
North Dakota (2016)
North Dakota voters approved Measure 5 to legalize medicinal cannabis.
Ohio (2016)
Ohio legalized medicinal cannabis with the passing of House Bill 523.
Oklahoma (2018)
Oklahoma voters approved State Question 788, legalizing medicinal cannabis.
Oregon (1998)
Oregon legalized medicinal cannabis with Ballot Measure 67.
Pennsylvania (2016)
Pennsylvania legalized medicinal cannabis with the approval of Senate Bill 3.
Rhode Island (2006)
Rhode Island passed the Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act.
South Dakota (2020)
South Dakota voters approved Measure 26 to legalize medicinal cannabis.
Utah (2018)
Utah legalized medicinal cannabis with the approval of Proposition 2.
Vermont (2004)
Vermont legalized medicinal cannabis with Senate Bill 76.
Virginia (2018)
Virginia passed legislation allowing medicinal cannabis oil with the approval of House Bill 1251.
Washington (1998)
Washington legalized medicinal cannabis with Initiative 692.
West Virginia (2017)
West Virginia passed Senate Bill 386, legalizing medicinal cannabis.
Wisconsin (2014)
Wisconsin legalized cannabidiol (CBD) oil for medicinal use with Assembly Bill 726.
Wyoming (2015)
Wyoming legalized CBD oil for medicinal use with House Bill 32.
These states have recognized the medicinal benefits of cannabis and have implemented regulatory frameworks to ensure safe and legal access for patients.