Even though cannabis is still federally illegal in the United States, an increasing number of states have legalized recreational marijuana since Colorado and Washington took the first step in 2012. The data company Statista put together a map of the states that allow recreational use, medical use, or both just in time for the unofficial cannabis holiday on April 20.
You will find more infographics at Statistaca
In 2020, Arizona, New Jersey, and Montana joined the recreational party — and in 2021, New York, Virginia, New Mexico and Connecticut followed. This means recreational marijuana is now legal in 18 states plus Washington DC. The west coast has led the charge, and now the east coast is catching up. Meanwhile, 21 other states have only legalized medicinal cannabis, but with laws constantly changing, we might see that number change sooner than you think. South Dakota recently legalized recreational cannabis, but the state’s Supreme Court ruled the ballot measure on recreational weed invalid on a technicality.
