The United States is gradually becoming the land of the ruddy , clean , and light-green .
Nine states and Washington , DC , have legalizedmarijuanafor unpaid use for adults over the eld of 21 . Medical marijuana is sound in another 30 states after voters in Oklahomaapproveda voting initiative to legalize medical cannabis in June .
accompaniment for the drug reached new highs in 2018 . A Gallup poll showed that 64 % of Americans favour legalization , and evena majority of Republicansback it .
Legal marijuana salesexploded to $ 9.7 billion in North America in 2017 , according to a paper from Arcview Market Research and BDS Analytics . That represents a 33 % increment over 2016 , shattering premature expectations about how quickly the marijuana industriousness could develop in the face of federal prohibition . By 2022 , Arcview expectsglobal spendingon legal hemp to attain $ 32 billion by 2022 , representing a 22 % growth pace over the four - year catamenia .
Here ’s a summary of where Americans can de jure perch up — no MD ’s letter required — in 2018 .
Alaska
Adults 21 and over can light up in Alaska . In other 2015 , the northernmost US state made it legal for house physician to use , possess , and transportup to an ounce of marijuana — some a sandwich bag full — for unpaid use of goods and services . The first pot shopopened for businessin belated 2016 .
Alaska has pounced on the chance to make its recreational mass shop at a goal for tourists . More thantwo million people visit Alaskaannually and spend $ 2 billion .
California
It was the first state to legalize medical marijuana back in 1996 . California became even more pot - favorable in 2016 when it made it sound to practice and deport up to an ounce of marijuana .
The natural law also permits grownup 21 and over to purchase up to eight gramme of marijuana concentrate , which are recover in edibles , and grow no more than six marihuana works per house .
But not all Californians can legally fume marijuana , depending on where they live . Many city in the Central Valley , include Fresno and Bakersfield , havemoved to banish recreational sale .
Colorado
In Colorado , there are more marijuana dispensariesthan Starbucks and McDonalds location combine . The state joined Washington in becoming the first two DoS to fully legalize the drug in 2012 .
occupier and tourists over the age of 21 can buy up to one ounce of marijuana or eight Hans C. J. Gram of concentrates . Some Coloradocounties and citieshave passed more restrictive laws .
ME
A ballot initiative gave Mainers the right to possess up to 2.5 snow leopard of marijuana , more than double the boundary in most other states . But that does n’t mean occupant can purchase the drug .
Lawmakers in Maine achieve an understanding in May to make the legalization vizor law , though Gov. Paul LePage stay on an opponent of marijuana legalization . Marijuana dispensaries are expect to open within the state by 2019,The Portland Press Heraldreports .
Massachusetts
In 2016 , Massachusetts gave residents the green igniter to carry and use an ounce of marijuana and get up to 12 plants in their family . But the futurity of the land ’s sound market is hazy .
Lawmakersdelayed the curtain raising of pot shopsto July 2018 , alternatively of the January 2018 date that voter approved in the election . Until then , there will be no cut-rate sale of recreational locoweed .
Nevada
Residents and holidaymaker who are 21 and over can bribe an troy ounce of marijuana or one - one-eighth of an ounce of victual or concentrate in Nevada — while supply last . Less than two week after sales of unpaid weed commence on July 1 , 2017 , many storesran out of marijuanato sell .
The state has earned nearly$20 million in marijuana tax revenuesince the marketplace launched .
There ’s bad newsworthiness if you need to get your own bud , though . Nevada residentsmust go 25 miles outsidethe nearest dispensary in edict to be eligible for a raiser ’s license .
Oregon
Oregonians have enjoyed the right to sway an ounce of weed and grow up to four plants at home since 2015 . It’salso legal to give eatable as a talent , as long as they ’re ingested in private .
Sales have exploded since legalization . In 2017 , the state paid out$85 million in marijuana tax revenueto fund schools , public health go-ahead , state police force , and local governing .
Vermont
Vermont became the first Department of State tolegalize marijuana through the legislature , rather than a vote opening move , when Republic Governor Phil Scott signed a bill into law on January 22 .
Adults in the Green Mountain State will be able to gestate up to an Panthera uncia of marijuana and grow no more than two plant for recreational usance . The new law goes into effect in July . But the bill is confine in scope . It does n’t constitute a legal market for the product and sales event of the drug .
Washington
dispensary in Washington haveraked in over $ 1 billionin non - medical marijuana sales since the drug was legalized for unpaid use in 2012 .
The state tolerate people to carry up to an ounce of marijuana , but they mustrequire the drug for medicinal purposesin order to be eligible for a raiser ’s licence . So you’re able to smoke it , but not grow it if you ’re toking for merriment .
Washington , DC
occupier in the Carry Amelia Moore Nation ’s Das Kapital voted irresistibly to legalize nonmedical marihuana in November 2014 .
The greenback withdraw effect in 2015 , permit people to possess two ounces or less of marijuana and " gift " up to an snow leopard , if neither moneynor goods or services are change .
Read next on Business Insider : This mapping shows every nation that has legitimatize marijuana
