Despite federal restrictions on cannabis, many states have made significant strides in legalizing and regulating the plant for medical and recreational purposes.
While not all Americans have access to cannabis, 41 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia have established medical marijuana programs, with 23 of those states fully legalizing cannabis for adult use or decriminalizing it.
As of November 2022, here is a comprehensive and up-to-date list of the legality of cannabis and its products throughout the United States.
Alabama: Approved a medical marijuana program in 2021, but as of June 2022, there were no doctors certified to issue prescriptions, no licensed dispensaries, and no legal farming of cannabis products.
Alaska: Legalized medical marijuana in 1998, and since 2015, it has been legal to possess and sell cannabis in the state.
Arizona: legal medical marijuana since 2010, and recreational marijuana will become legal once a legalization measure overwhelmingly passed in the 2020 elections is certified.
Arkansas: Only allows medical marijuana, and cultivation is not legal.
California: The first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996, and the sale of recreational marijuana was approved by voters in 2016.
Colorado: Legalized recreational cannabis in 2012, and it is also legal to privately grow up to six marijuana plants in the state.
Connecticut: Legalized recreational cannabis on July 1, 2021, and allows home cultivation beginning on July 1, 2023.
Delaware: Decriminalized marijuana in 2015 and legalized medical marijuana in 2011, but only a bill to legalize recreational marijuana sales cleared its first legislative hurdle in 2019.
Florida: Allows medical marijuana but not recreational, and Georgia only allows low-THC oil as part of its limited medical program.
Hawaii: Decriminalized recreational marijuana in 2019 and legalized medical marijuana.
Illinois: Legalized both medical and recreational cannabis, with the state legislature passing the law rather than a ballot initiative.
Iowa: Limited medical cannabis program with only processed cannabis products allowed for sale, while
Louisiana: Approved medical marijuana, but only allows certain forms of cannabis for purchase. Maine legalized recreational cannabis in 2016, but retail stores have yet to open.
Maryland: Recently became the 20th state to legalize recreational cannabis, with the program set to go into effect in July 2023, while medical marijuana has been legal in the state since 2014.
Massachusetts: Legal for both medical and recreational use; no reciprocity with other states; adults can grow up to 12 plants.
Michigan: Legal for both medical and recreational use; reciprocity with other states; adults can privately grow up to 12 plants.
Minnesota: Legal for medical use only; possession of small amounts is decriminalized; no reciprocity with other states; no home cultivation allowed.
Mississippi: Legal for medical use only; no operational program yet; limited reciprocity with other states; recreational use is illegal; possession of small amounts is decriminalized for first offense only.
Missouri: Legal for both medical and recreational use; no reciprocity with other states; sales for recreational use expected to start in December 2022.
Oregon: Legalized legalized both medical and recreational marijuana and allows residents to grow their plants.
Rhode Island: Legalized both medical and recreational marijuana, and retail sales are expected to begin soon.
South Dakota: Approved medical marijuana but recreational use remains illegal after a challenge from the Governor.
Texas: Limited medical programs and possession are illegal except for those with medical permits.
Utah: Approved medical marijuana and decriminalized recreational use.
Vermont: Legalized both medical and recreational marijuana and allows residents to cultivate their plants
Virginia: Allows both medical and recreational cannabis use, with a possession limit of up to 1 ounce for adults.
Washington: One of the first states to legalize recreational cannabis, with medical cannabis also legal.
West Virginia: Medical cannabis is legal, but recreational use is not.
Washington DC: Allows medical cannabis and possession of up to 2 ounces of recreational cannabis, but the sale of recreational cannabis is still illegal.
Conclusion
As we have seen, the legal status of cannabis varies greatly across different states in the US. While some states have fully legalized both the medical and recreational use of cannabis, others only allow medical use, and some still have strict prohibition laws. However, the tide is turning, with more and more states moving towards legalization in some form.
As attitudes towards cannabis continue to shift and more research is conducted on its potential benefits and drawbacks, it will be interesting to see how these laws evolve in the future. Whatever happens, cannabis will continue to be a hotly debated topic in the US and around the world for many years to come.
He has a big audience and a huge voice with the administration – so what about Joe Rogan and marijuana?
In a surprising turn of events, hemp is starting to rival marijuana in sales, marking a significant shift in the cannabis industry landscape. As of 2025, the industrial hemp market has experienced explosive growth. Meanwhile, marijuana has acceptance by almost 90% of the country, but the 10% against it include leaders in DC. The small group seems to have blocked a path for profitably for thousands of mom and pop marijuana companies. Currently, it is unclear what the new administration will do with the rescheduling, SAFE Banking and more. But amid the chaos, hemp hums along ibeing carried in mainstream retailers like Total Wine and convience stores, allowing them access to large customer bases.
“Hemp is living the cannabis dream. No 280E tax or punitive state excise taxes exist, while direct-to-consumer sales and interstate commerce are allowed. Intoxicating hemp is being treated like a regular commodity, while cannabis remains in the penalty box.” shared Jesse Redmond, an executive at LEEF Holdings.
The surge in hemp’s popularity can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the legalization of industrial hemp farming in many countries has opened up new opportunities for large-scale cultivation and production. In the United States, the 2018 Farm Bill paved the way for the cultivation and sale of hemp, separating it legally from marijuana by establishing a THC threshold of 0.3%.
Hemp’s versatility has been a key driver of its success. The plant offers a wide range of applications across various industries, including textiles, construction, packaging, and personal care. Moreover, the increasing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable products has fueled the growth of the hemp market, as hemp requires fewer resources to produce compared to other crops.
The rise of CBD products has also contributed significantly to hemp’s dominance. The wellness and pharmaceutical sectors have seen a surge in demand for hemp-derived CBD, further boosting the market. In fact, the top 10 best-selling THC beverage brands, many of which are hemp-based, represented 59% of all total cannabis drink sales in the year ending June 2024.
Daniel Shortt, one of the partners at the Seattle firm Salzhauer & Shortt shares “At this stage, it is anyone’s guess how the new administration is going to approach cannabis. The new president has sent mixed message about cannabis, but it is clearly not a priority for the next few months which could be good for the largely unregulated hemp-derivative market.
The new administration began before the cannabis rescheduling process concluded, and an administrative law judge has now paused that process for at least 90 days. With the future of federal reform so uncertain, it’s likely that hemp products will continue to be sold widely across the country under the 2018 Farm Bill, despite significant pushback at the state level—unless Congress amends the next version of the Farm Bill. The current version of the Farm Bill governs the production of hemp but does not specifically regulate the manufacture and distribution of hemp products. While the FDA has opposed these products, it has done little to enforce actions against them. It seems unlikely that halting the spread of hemp products will be a priority for new adminstration’s FDA.”
The cannabis industry shouldn’t be a fan of TikTok considering their double standard with alcohol.
Pinoy is one of the top search terms at Pornhub and Filipino food is gaining popularity, especially among younger generations. It is growing in recognition due to increased exposure from Filipino-American chefs and the growing interest from Gen Z consumers who appreciate its bold flavors and affordability. If you want something good with a little extra, try this marijuana infused cassava cake.
Cassava cake is a traditional Filipino dessert made from grated cassava, with a creamy custard top. Known to be enjoyed during special occasions, and a simple snack. When it’s infused with your favorite cannabis strain it is perfect with your morning coffee or a little snack.
This recipe is from acclaimed culinary artist Chef Charleen Caabay who is seen on reality TV chef celebrity, and the winner of Food Network’s Chopped. She is passionate about Filipino food and culture, she infuses her heritage into her cooking, celebrating the rich flavors and traditions of her roots. She also specializes in crafting cannabis-infused dishes, blending her culinary artistry with the therapeutic potential of the plant. She is a featured speaker at February Women Who Grow Conference.
Cassava cake, also known as kamoteng kaho in Filipino and is popular in the Philippines and Vietnam. Cassava can be brought at large grocery stores. If you want to add marijuana, the recipe dosage is
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease muffin tins or cake pan with butter or oil.
Combine grated cassava, coconut milk, condensed milk, evaporated milk, vanilla extract, eggs, and cannabis-infused butter. Mix until well combined.
Pour the cassava mixture into the prepared baking dish, leaving room for custard topping. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes or until the top is slightly browning and firm.
While the cassava cake is baking in the oven, prepare the topping mixture. Combine the remaining ingredients, coconut milk, condensed milk, vanilla extract, cheddar cheese.
Once the cassava cake is firm, add a thin layer of the topping to the brim. Distribute the topping to each cake evenly.
To quickly finish, broil the top for about 5-10 minutes until golden brown. Carefully watch to avoid burning at this stage.
Let cool for a few minutes and enjoy warm!
CREATE – Cannabutter
Break up the cannabis buds, and spread on a small sheet pan. Preheat the oven to 225 degrees. Bake the cannabis for about 45minutes to 1 hour to properly decarboxylate the buds.
In a small sauce pan or pot, add decarbed cannabis and butter and heat at a very low simmer for about an hour to an hour and half. Strain the mixture but do not agitate the canna butter to lessen any plant material to go through. Set aside.
He has a big audience and a huge voice with the administration – so what about Joe Rogan and marijuana?
The marijuana industry is struggling and thousands of mom and pop business are in limbo waiting for the federal government to add clarity to the future of the plant. During this difficult time, Joe Rogan continues to champion cannabis. Rogan, the prominent podcast host of The Joe Rogan Experience, has consistently voiced support for the legalization of cannabis. Recent cabinet and federal appointees are all over the map about the plant, so it is a benefit to have Rogan vocally being supportive.
Known for his candid discussions on controversial topics, Rogan often highlights the benefits of marijuana legalization, both in terms of personal freedoms and societal impact. His advocacy for cannabis reform is rooted in his belief in individual liberty and the potential benefits of marijuana use. He has argued adults should have the right to make their own choices regarding cannabis consumption, emphasizing its relatively low risk compared to substances like alcohol. In various episodes of his podcast, Rogan has pointed out that marijuana can foster creativity, relaxation, and even community bonding. He has also discussed its medicinal potential, particularly for veterans and individuals suffering from mental health conditions such as PTSD.
Rogan’s stance on cannabis legalization has intersected with political discourse. For instance, during the 2024 presidential campaign, he revealed Kamala Harris’s team declined to discuss marijuana legalization during negotiations for a potential podcast appearance. Rogan found this amusing given Harris’s prior public support for cannabis reform but speculated her prosecutorial record on marijuana offenses might have influenced this decision.
This incident underscores Rogan’s commitment to openly discussing cannabis policy, even when it challenges political figures. In addition to his advocacy for legalization, Rogan has debated the topic with guests who hold opposing views. For example, in a discussion with Congressman Dan Crenshaw, Rogan defended recreational cannabis use by comparing it to alcohol, which is federally legal despite its risks. He emphasized cannabis is a safer alternative and criticized stereotypes about marijuana users being unproductive. These debates reflect Rogan’s dedication to fostering nuanced conversations about cannabis policy.
Overall, Joe Rogan’s support for legal cannabis aligns with his broader philosophy of personal freedom and open dialogue. His platform continues to serve as a space for exploring the implications of marijuana legalization, from its social and economic benefits to its challenges. Through his podcast, Rogan has become a prominent voice in the ongoing debate over cannabis reform.