Introduction
The legalization of medical marijuana is something that has slowly been gaining more traction in the United States. Currently, thirty-six states plus the District of Columbia have legalized the use of medicinal cannabis for qualifying patients, although each state has their own restrictions and regulations on qualification. In addition to this, fifteen states also allow for limited access programs which can be used as an alternative to full-scale legalization in certain areas. The main benefits associated with medical marijuana are pain relief, nausea reduction, and appetite stimulation. Studies have shown that medical cannabis can also help reduce symptoms related to a variety of conditions such as cancer, PTSD, glaucoma, chronic pain and multiple sclerosis (MS). It is important to note that while some states have decriminalized recreational marijuana usage as well, any non-medical usage must still adhere to local laws and regulations.
| State | Legal Medical Marijuana |
|---|---|
| Georgia | No |
| Idaho | No |
| Indiana | No |
| Iowa | No |
| Kansas | No |
| Kentucky | No |
| Nebraska | No |
| North Carolina | No |
| South Carolina | No |
| Tennessee | No |
| Texas | No |
| Wisconsin | No |
| Wyoming | No |
| Alabama | Yes |
| Alaska | Yes |
| Arizona | Yes |
| Arkansas | Yes |
| California | Yes |
| Colorado | Yes |
| Connecticut | Yes |
| Delaware | Yes |
| District of Columbia | Yes |
| Florida | Yes |
| Hawaii | Yes |
| Illinois | Yes |
| Louisiana | Yes |
| Maine | Yes |
| Maryland | Yes |
| Massachusetts | Yes |
| Michigan | Yes |
| Minnesota | Yes |
| Mississippi | Yes |
| Missouri | Yes |
| Montana | Yes |
| Nevada | Yes |
| New Hampshire | Yes |
| New Jersey | Yes |
| New Mexico | Yes |
| New York | Yes |
| North Dakota | Yes |
| Ohio | Yes |
| Oklahoma | Yes |
| Oregon | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | Yes |
| Rhode Island | Yes |
| South Dakota | Yes |
| Utah | Yes |
| Vermont | Yes |
| Virginia | Yes |
| Washington | Yes |
| West Virginia | Yes |
Legal Medical Marijuana by State
Alabama
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
Alaska
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
Arizona
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
Arkansas
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
California
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
Colorado
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
Connecticut
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
Delaware
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
District of Columbia
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
Florida
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
Georgia
Legal Medical Marijuana
No
Hawaii
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
Idaho
Legal Medical Marijuana
No
Illinois
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
Indiana
Legal Medical Marijuana
No
Iowa
Legal Medical Marijuana
No
Kansas
Legal Medical Marijuana
No
Kentucky
Legal Medical Marijuana
No
Louisiana
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
Maine
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
Maryland
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
Massachusetts
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
Michigan
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
Minnesota
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
Mississippi
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
Missouri
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
Montana
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
Nebraska
Legal Medical Marijuana
No
Nevada
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
New Hampshire
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
New Jersey
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
New Mexico
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
New York
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
North Carolina
Legal Medical Marijuana
No
North Dakota
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
Ohio
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
Oklahoma
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
Oregon
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
Pennsylvania
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
Rhode Island
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
South Carolina
Legal Medical Marijuana
No
South Dakota
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
Tennessee
Legal Medical Marijuana
No
Texas
Legal Medical Marijuana
No
Utah
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
Vermont
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
Virginia
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
Washington
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
West Virginia
Legal Medical Marijuana
Yes
Wisconsin
Legal Medical Marijuana
No
Wyoming
Legal Medical Marijuana
No