Cannabis · Legal Landscape
More complicated than the headlines suggest. Knowing where you stand — and what "legal" actually means in practice — matters.
State by State
Cannabis is federally Schedule I regardless of state law. What states have done is create legal frameworks within their borders — which changes local enforcement but doesn't change federal law. This creates friction everywhere: banking, employment, travel, and more.
Alaska
Adult use
Arizona
Adult use
California
Adult use
Colorado
Adult use
Connecticut
Adult use
Delaware
Adult use
Illinois
Adult use
Maine
Adult use
Maryland
Adult use
Massachusetts
Adult use
Michigan
Adult use
Minnesota
Adult use
Missouri
Adult use
Montana
Adult use
Nevada
Adult use
New Jersey
Adult use
New Mexico
Adult use
New York
Adult use
Ohio
Adult use
Oregon
Adult use
Rhode Island
Adult use
Vermont
Adult use
Virginia
Adult use
Washington
Adult use
Washington D.C.
Adult use
Arkansas
Medical only
Florida
Medical only
Hawaii
Medical only
Louisiana
Medical only
Mississippi
Medical only
New Hampshire
Medical only
North Dakota
Medical only
Oklahoma
Medical only
Pennsylvania
Medical only
South Dakota
Medical only
Utah
Medical only
West Virginia
Medical only
Alabama
Fully illegal
Georgia
Fully illegal
Idaho
Fully illegal
Indiana
Fully illegal
Iowa
Fully illegal
Kansas
Fully illegal
Kentucky
Fully illegal
Nebraska
Fully illegal
North Carolina
Fully illegal
South Carolina
Fully illegal
Tennessee
Fully illegal
Texas
Fully illegal
Wisconsin
Fully illegal
Wyoming
Fully illegal
Laws change. Verify current status in your state before relying on this information.
Travel & Complications
Legalization at the state level doesn't resolve federal conflicts — and several of those conflicts have real consequences.
Air travel
Airports are federal jurisdiction. TSA isn't actively looking for cannabis, but if found it gets referred to local law enforcement — whose response varies wildly. Flying from California to Colorado with cannabis is still technically a federal crime, even though both states are legal.
Medical card reciprocity
Most legal states don't recognize out-of-state medical cards. You generally need to purchase in the state where you are. A few states have visitor purchase provisions — check before you travel.
Employment drug testing
Even in legal states, employers can still test for cannabis and refuse to hire or terminate based on a positive result. Some states have passed protections for off-duty use — many haven't. Know your state and your employer's policy.
Federal property & housing
Federal housing (HUD) prohibits cannabis use regardless of state law. National parks, federal buildings, military bases — all federal jurisdiction. Some public housing has additional restrictions even in legal states.
Arizona note — since you're in Tucson
Arizona has adult-use cannabis legal under Prop 207 (2020). Possession of up to 1 ounce is legal for adults 21+. Up to 6 plants at home. Public consumption is still prohibited. Dispensaries are widely available in Tucson. DUI laws still apply — impairment regardless of substance is illegal to drive under.
State legal ≠ federally legal. Airports, federal buildings, national parks are still federal.
Most states don't recognize out-of-state medical cards. Buy where you are.
Employment drug testing can still happen in legal states. Know your employer's policy.
Laws change fast. Always verify current status before traveling with cannabis.