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Over the past several years, there have been significant changes to marijuana legality across the United States. More and more states are legalizing the drug, but variation remains state-to-state. It is useful to study these legislative trends, as well as familiarize yourself with the regulations in your state.
Marijuana is fully legal in 24 states plus Washington DC, which has resulted in over half of the United States population living in states with legal recreational marijuana. Three states—Hawaii, New Hampshire and North Dakota—allow for medical marijuana, and have decriminalized recreational marijuana. Louisiana, Mississippi and North Carolina have decriminalized recreational marijuana. In other states, medicinal marijuana is permitted, but there is no decriminalization. Finally, marijuana is fully illegal in five states.
Washington and Oregon have some of the most lenient state marijuana laws, whereas Kansas and South Carolina have some of the strictest. In Oregon, citizens can maintain up to a 24 ounce supply of medical marijuana. In South Carolina, marijuana possession of less than 1 ounce is a misdemeanor.
Considering how much variation exists between states, it is extremely important to understand the laws that apply to you. Additionally, further variation exists when it comes to drug testing policies, requiring further context. New legislation is likely to come out regarding marijuana, so staying tuned to updates is useful moving forward.
Source: US Drug Test Centers
