U.S.A. IS GOING GREEN
Less than two decades ago, marijuana was illegal in all 50 U.S. states. With Utah and Missouri passing ballot initiatives in November 2018 to legalize medical marijuana, 33 U.S. states now have broad legislation in place that allows of the use of marijuana. Although the decriminalization of marijuana in the U.S. began in 1973, it wasn't until 1996 that the journey toward legalization began. Here are the most significant milestones for legalizing marijuana in the United States. (Data Sources: National Conference of State Legislatures, CNN)
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1996
1996 - Proposition 215
California voters pass Proposition 215, legalizing medical marijuana in the state. Arizona voters pass a ballot initiative legalizing medical marijuana. However, the initiative is found to be invalid because of its wording related to marijuana prescriptions, which remained illegal under federal law.
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1998
1998 - Measure 8 | Initiative 59, 692
Alaska voters pass Measure 8, to allow medical use of marijuana. District of Columbia (D.C.) voters pass Ballot Initiative 59, which permitted patients who were seriously ill to use medical marijuana when recommended by a licensed physician. However, the U.S. Congress voted to prevent the initiative from being enacted. Oregon passes the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act. Washington voters pass Initiative 692, legalizing medical marijuana.
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1999
1999 - SB 94 | Question 2
Alaska legislature passes SB 94. It passed with a 31-to-3 vote – and essentially merges the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act and Proposition 64, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, into one regulatory framework that will govern both medical and recreational cannabis use. Also, Maine voters pass Question 2, a ballot initiative legalizing medical marijuana.
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2000
2000 - Amendment 20 | SB 862 | Question 9
Colorado voters pass Ballot Amendment 20, to allow the legal use of medical marijuana. Hawaii legislature passes SB862, legalizing the medical use of cannabis. Nevada voters pass Question 9, to amend the state’s constitution to allow medical marijuana.
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2002
2002 - LD 611
Maine legislature passes LD 611, to create a nonprofit marijuana distribution center in the state.
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2003
2003 - SB 420
California legislature passes SB 420, which prohibits physicians from being punished for recommending medical marijuana to patients.
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2004
2004 - Initiative 148 | SB 76
Montana voters pass Initiative 148, allowing the legal use of medical marijuana for patients with debilitating conditions. Vermont legislature passes SB 76, which legalizes the use of medical marijuana for patients with specified serious illnesses.
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2007
2007 - SB 523, 161, 791, 7
New Mexico legislature passes SB 523, legalizing medical marijuana for compassionate use. Oregon legislature passes SB 161, amending certain provisions and creating new provisions related to the use of medical marijuana in the state. Rhode Island’s General Assembly passes SB 791, to allow the legal use of medical marijuana for certain debilitating medical conditions. Vermont legislature passes SB 7, expanding the use of medical marijuana to more conditions.
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2008
2008 - Proposal 1
Michigan voters pass Proposal 1, which legalizes the medical use of marijuana in the state.
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2009
2009 - Initiative 59 | Question 5 | Sb 119, 185
U.S. Congress reverses its blocking of the District of Columbia’s Initiative 59 that voters passed in 1998. The Obama administration issues a memo to federal prosecutors, encouraging them to refrain from prosecuting people who distribute medical marijuana in compliance with state laws. Maine voters pass the Question 5 ballot initiative to create nonprofit medical cannabis dispensaries and to establish a statewide system for identification cards to protect patients who use medical marijuana from being arrested. New Jersey legislature passes SB 119, legalizing medical marijuana. Rhode Island General Assembly passes SB 185, amending its medical marijuana laws to establish compassion centers for the distribution of medical marijuana.
Milestone -
2010
2010 - Proposition 203 | L18-2010 | LD 1811 | Sb 5798
Arizona voters pass Proposition 203, legalizing medical marijuana. District of Columba council passes L18-2010, legalizing medical marijuana. Maine legislature passes LD 1811, amending the state’s medical marijuana laws, among other things, to establish a medical advisory board for adding new conditions for which medical marijuana could legally be used. Washington state legislature passes SB 5798, to allow authorized healthcare professionals other than physicians to recommend medical marijuana for patients.
Milestone -
2011
2011 - SB 217, 423, 17, 5073
Delaware General Assembly passes SB 217, legalizing medical marijuana. Montana legislature passes SB 423, expanding the state’s medical marijuana laws. Vermont legislature passes SB 17, registering nonprofit organizations for distributing medical marijuana. Washington state legislature passes SB 5073, further relaxing limitations on its medical marijuana laws.
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2012
2012 - Amendment 64 | Question 3 | Initiative 502
Colorado voters pass Amendment 64, legalizing the use of recreational marijuana. Massachusetts voters pass the Question 3 ballot initiative, allowing the legal use of medical marijuana. Washington state voters approve Initiative 502, legalizing recreational marijuana.
Milestone -
2013
2013 - Cole Memo | HB 1, 573
The Obama administration issues the “Cole memo” to federal prosecutors to limit intervention in states that have legalized marijuana. Illinois legislature passes HB 1, to allow the compassionate use of medical marijuana. New Hampshire legislature passes HB 573, legalizing the use of medical cannabis.
Milestone -
2014
2014 - Measure 2, 91 | Initiative 71 | SF 2470 | A6357
Alaska voters pass Ballot Measure 2, legalizing recreational marijuana. District of Columbia voters pass Initiative 71, legalizing recreational marijuana. Minnesota legislature passes SF 2470, allowing the legal use of medical marijuana. New York state assembly passes A6357, legalizing medical marijuana. Oregon voters pass Measure 91, legalizing recreational marijuana.
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2016
2016 - Issue 6 | Proposition 64 | Amendment 2 | Question 4, 2 | Measure 5 | HB 523 | SB 3
Arkansas voters pass Issue 6 to amend the state constitution to legalize medical marijuana. California voters pass Proposition 64, legalizing recreational marijuana. Florida voters pass Amendment 2, legalizing medical marijuana. Massachusetts voters pass the Question 4 ballot initiative, legalizing recreational marijuana. Nevada voters pass the Question 2 ballot initiative, legalizing recreational marijuana. North Dakota voters pass Measure 5, legalizing medical marijuana. Ohio legislature passes HB 523, legalizing medical marijuana. Pennsylvania legislature passes SB 3, legalizing medical marijuana.
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2017
2017 - SB 386
West Virginia legislature passes SB 386, legalizing medical marijuana.
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2018
2018 - Cole Memo Rescinded | Question 788 | H. 511 | Amendment 2 | Proposition 2
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinds the Cole memo and other Obama administration policies related to enforcement of federal marijuana laws in states that have legalized marijuana. Oklahoma voters pass Question 788 to legalize medical marijuana. Vermont legislature passes H. 511 bill, to allow the legal use of recreational marijuana in limited quantities. Missouri voters pass Amendment 2 to legalize medical marijuana. Utah voters pass Proposition 2 to legalize medical marijuana.
Milestone
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1996
1996 - Proposition 215
California voters pass Proposition 215, legalizing medical marijuana in the state. Arizona voters pass a ballot initiative legalizing medical marijuana. However, the initiative is found to be invalid because of its wording related to marijuana prescriptions, which remained illegal under federal law.
Milestone -
1998
1998 - Measure 8 | Initiative 59, 692
Alaska voters pass Measure 8, to allow medical use of marijuana. District of Columbia (D.C.) voters pass Ballot Initiative 59, which permitted patients who were seriously ill to use medical marijuana when recommended by a licensed physician. However, the U.S. Congress voted to prevent the initiative from being enacted. Oregon passes the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act. Washington voters pass Initiative 692, legalizing medical marijuana.
Milestone -
1999
1999 - SB 94 | Question 2
Alaska legislature passes SB 94. It passed with a 31-to-3 vote – and essentially merges the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act and Proposition 64, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, into one regulatory framework that will govern both medical and recreational cannabis use. Also, Maine voters pass Question 2, a ballot initiative legalizing medical marijuana.
Milestone -
2000
2000 - Amendment 20 | SB 862 | Question 9
Colorado voters pass Ballot Amendment 20, to allow the legal use of medical marijuana. Hawaii legislature passes SB862, legalizing the medical use of cannabis. Nevada voters pass Question 9, to amend the state’s constitution to allow medical marijuana.
Milestone -
2002
2002 - LD 611
Maine legislature passes LD 611, to create a nonprofit marijuana distribution center in the state.
Milestone -
2003
2003 - SB 420
California legislature passes SB 420, which prohibits physicians from being punished for recommending medical marijuana to patients.
Milestone -
2004
2004 - Initiative 148 | SB 76
Montana voters pass Initiative 148, allowing the legal use of medical marijuana for patients with debilitating conditions. Vermont legislature passes SB 76, which legalizes the use of medical marijuana for patients with specified serious illnesses.
Milestone -
2007
2007 - SB 523, 161, 791, 7
New Mexico legislature passes SB 523, legalizing medical marijuana for compassionate use. Oregon legislature passes SB 161, amending certain provisions and creating new provisions related to the use of medical marijuana in the state. Rhode Island’s General Assembly passes SB 791, to allow the legal use of medical marijuana for certain debilitating medical conditions. Vermont legislature passes SB 7, expanding the use of medical marijuana to more conditions.
Milestone -
2008
2008 - Proposal 1
Michigan voters pass Proposal 1, which legalizes the medical use of marijuana in the state.
Milestone -
2009
2009 - Initiative 59 | Question 5 | Sb 119, 185
U.S. Congress reverses its blocking of the District of Columbia’s Initiative 59 that voters passed in 1998. The Obama administration issues a memo to federal prosecutors, encouraging them to refrain from prosecuting people who distribute medical marijuana in compliance with state laws. Maine voters pass the Question 5 ballot initiative to create nonprofit medical cannabis dispensaries and to establish a statewide system for identification cards to protect patients who use medical marijuana from being arrested. New Jersey legislature passes SB 119, legalizing medical marijuana. Rhode Island General Assembly passes SB 185, amending its medical marijuana laws to establish compassion centers for the distribution of medical marijuana.
Milestone -
2010
2010 - Proposition 203 | L18-2010 | LD 1811 | Sb 5798
Arizona voters pass Proposition 203, legalizing medical marijuana. District of Columba council passes L18-2010, legalizing medical marijuana. Maine legislature passes LD 1811, amending the state’s medical marijuana laws, among other things, to establish a medical advisory board for adding new conditions for which medical marijuana could legally be used. Washington state legislature passes SB 5798, to allow authorized healthcare professionals other than physicians to recommend medical marijuana for patients.
Milestone -
2011
2011 - SB 217, 423, 17, 5073
Delaware General Assembly passes SB 217, legalizing medical marijuana. Montana legislature passes SB 423, expanding the state’s medical marijuana laws. Vermont legislature passes SB 17, registering nonprofit organizations for distributing medical marijuana. Washington state legislature passes SB 5073, further relaxing limitations on its medical marijuana laws.
Milestone -
2012
2012 - Amendment 64 | Question 3 | Initiative 502
Colorado voters pass Amendment 64, legalizing the use of recreational marijuana. Massachusetts voters pass the Question 3 ballot initiative, allowing the legal use of medical marijuana. Washington state voters approve Initiative 502, legalizing recreational marijuana.
Milestone -
2013
2013 - Cole Memo | HB 1, 573
The Obama administration issues the “Cole memo” to federal prosecutors to limit intervention in states that have legalized marijuana. Illinois legislature passes HB 1, to allow the compassionate use of medical marijuana. New Hampshire legislature passes HB 573, legalizing the use of medical cannabis.
Milestone -
2014
2014 - Measure 2, 91 | Initiative 71 | SF 2470 | A6357
Alaska voters pass Ballot Measure 2, legalizing recreational marijuana. District of Columbia voters pass Initiative 71, legalizing recreational marijuana. Minnesota legislature passes SF 2470, allowing the legal use of medical marijuana. New York state assembly passes A6357, legalizing medical marijuana. Oregon voters pass Measure 91, legalizing recreational marijuana.
Milestone -
2016
2016 - Issue 6 | Proposition 64 | Amendment 2 | Question 4, 2 | Measure 5 | HB 523 | SB 3
Arkansas voters pass Issue 6 to amend the state constitution to legalize medical marijuana. California voters pass Proposition 64, legalizing recreational marijuana. Florida voters pass Amendment 2, legalizing medical marijuana. Massachusetts voters pass the Question 4 ballot initiative, legalizing recreational marijuana. Nevada voters pass the Question 2 ballot initiative, legalizing recreational marijuana. North Dakota voters pass Measure 5, legalizing medical marijuana. Ohio legislature passes HB 523, legalizing medical marijuana. Pennsylvania legislature passes SB 3, legalizing medical marijuana.
Milestone -
2017
2017 - SB 386
West Virginia legislature passes SB 386, legalizing medical marijuana.
Milestone -
2018
2018 - Cole Memo Rescinded | Question 788 | H. 511 | Amendment 2 | Proposition 2
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinds the Cole memo and other Obama administration policies related to enforcement of federal marijuana laws in states that have legalized marijuana. Oklahoma voters pass Question 788 to legalize medical marijuana. Vermont legislature passes H. 511 bill, to allow the legal use of recreational marijuana in limited quantities. Missouri voters pass Amendment 2 to legalize medical marijuana. Utah voters pass Proposition 2 to legalize medical marijuana.
Milestone
MOST SIGNIFICANT LAWS PASSED
Much has happened in recent years to promote the legal use of marijuana for either medical or recreational purposes. But these five laws stand out because of their extraordinary impact.
California's Proposition 215 (1996)
California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana. This trailblazing victory gave many other organizers the confidence to push for the legalization of marijuana in their states.
Colorado's Amendment 64 (2012)
Colorado became one of the first two states to legalize the recreational use and sale of marijuana. The state also set the standard on how to effectively regulate recreational cannabis, with both medical and recreational sales totaling approximately $1.5 billion in 2017.
MOST SIGNIFICANT LAWS PASSED
Much has happened in recent years to promote the legal use of marijuana for either medical or recreational purposes. But these five laws stand out because of their extraordinary impact.
California's Proposition 215 (1996)
California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana. This trailblazing victory gave many other organizers the confidence to push for the legalization of marijuana in their states.
Colorado's Amendment 64 (2012)
Colorado became one of the first two states to legalize the recreational use and sale of marijuana. The state also set the standard on how to effectively regulate recreational cannabis, with both medical and recreational sales totaling approximately $1.5 billion in 2017.
Washington's Initiative 502 (2012)
Washington was the second of the two states to vote for the legalization of recreational marijuana. Although Washington's cannabis market is slightly smaller than Colorado's market, the total marijuana spending for 2017 was still $934 million.
Washington's Initiative 502 (2012)
Washington was the second of the two states to vote for the legalization of recreational marijuana. Although Washington's cannabis market is slightly smaller than Colorado's market, the total marijuana spending for 2017 was still $934 million.
California's Proposition 64 (2016)
California voters pass a ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana, which is significant due to the state's size. Their medical marijuana market was nearly $3 billion in 2017, roughly twice the size of Colorado's total marijuana market. According to BDS Analytics' projections, California's total marijuana market could reach $5.1 billion by 2019.
California's Proposition 64 (2016)
California voters pass a ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana, which is significant due to the state's size. Their medical marijuana market was nearly $3 billion in 2017, roughly twice the size of Colorado's total marijuana market. According to BDS Analytics' projections, California's total marijuana market could reach $5.1 billion by 2019.
Vermont's H. 511 (2018)
Vermont is the first state to legalize recreational marijuana through the state legislature rather than a ballot initiative. The new law allows for up to an ounce of marijuana for recreational use. However, the sale of recreational marijuana is still prohibited.
Vermont's H. 511 (2018)