In little more than a decade, medical marijuana has become the norm in the US despite ongoing federal cannabis prohibition. Thirty-seven states plus the District of Columbia now allow the use of weed for medical purposes.
No two state medical marijuana programs are alike though – the specifics of medical pot legislation can vary substantially from state to state.
In this guide, we’ll take you through these differences, with a focus on possession limits, restrictions on consumption methods, if any, and medical marijuana grow laws.
| State | Legislation Passed | Possession Limits | Consumption Method Restrictions | Medical Marijuana Grow Laws |
| Alabama | 2021 | Up to 70 daily dosages (50 mg THC per dose) every 90 days | Cannabis flower and infused edibles are prohibited. Medical marijuana must be in the form of “tablets, capsules, tinctures, or gel cubes for oral use; gels, oils or creams for topical use, or suppositories, transdermal patches, nebulizers, or liquids or oils for use in an inhaler.” | Prohibited |
| Alaska | 1998 | 1 ounce | None | 3 mature, 3 seedlings |
| Arizona | 2010 | 2.5 ounces every 14 days | None | 12 plants, only if residence is more than 25 miles from a state-licensed dispensary |
| Arkansas | 2016 | 2.5 ounces every 14 days | Smokable cannabis prohibited for patients under the age of 21. Cannabis-infused edibles must not contain more than 10 mg THC. | Prohibited |
| California
|
1996 | 8 ounces | None | Permitted, but local ordinances may restrict or prohibit home cultivation. |
| Colorado
|
2000 | 2 ounces | None | 3 mature, 3 seedlings |
| Connecticut
|
2012 | 3.5 ounces every 30 days | None | 6 plants, maximum of 12 per household |
| Delaware
|
2011 | 6 ounces | None | Prohibited |
| District of Columbia
|
2010 | 2 ounces | None | Prohibited |
| Florida
|
2016 | 2.5 ounces every 35 days. 4 ounces with special physician recommendation. | Smokable cannabis permitted if a physician recommends “that the benefits of smoking marijuana for medical use outweigh the risks for the qualified patient.” | Prohibited |
| Hawaii
|
2000 | 4 ounces | None | 7 plants |
| Illinois
|
2013 | 2.5 ounces every 14 days | None | 5 plants |
| Louisiana
|
2016 | 1 month supply, dose yet to be determined | Only non-smokable forms of cannabis | Prohibited |
| Maine | 1999 | 2.5 ounces | None | 6 plants |
| Maryland
|
2014 | 30 day supply as determined by a physician | Cannabis-infused edibles are prohibited. | Prohibited |
| Massachusetts
|
2012 | 10 ounces every 60 days | None | 6 plants, maximum of 12 per household |
| Michigan
|
2008 | 2.5 ounces | None | 12 plants |
| Minnesota
|
2014 | 2.5 ounces every 14 days | None | Prohibited |
| Mississippi
|
2022 | 3.5 grams per day, 6 days a week, at a maximum of 3 ounces per month. | Flower capped at 30 percent THC. Concentrates capped at 60 percent THC. | Prohibited |
| Missouri
|
2018 | 4 ounces every 30 days | None | 6 plants |
| Montana
|
2004 | 1 ounce | None | 4 mature, 4 seedlings. 8 mature, 8 seedlings maximum per household |
| Nevada
|
2000 | 2.5 ounces | None | 12 plants, only if residence is more than 25 miles from a dispensary or if growing a strain that’s not available at a dispensary within this range. |
| New Hampshire
|
2013 | 2 ounces every 10 days | None | Prohibited |
| New Jersey
|
2010 | 3 ounces | None | Prohibited |
| New Mexico
|
2007 | 6 ounces | None | 4 mature, 12 seedlings |
| New York
|
2014 | 3 ounces | None | 6 plants |
| North Dakota
|
2016 | 3 ounces every 14 days | Patients must have special certification from a physician in order to smoke cannabis. Marijuana-infused edibles are not permitted. | Prohibited |
| Ohio
|
2016 | 90-day supply. Tier 1: 8 ounces Tier 2: 5 & 3/10 ounces |
None | Prohibited |
| Oklahoma
|
2018 | 3 ounces | None | 6 mature, 6 seedlings |
| Oregon
|
1998 | 24 ounces | None | 6 mature, 18 seedlings |
| Pennsylvania
|
2016 | 90-day supply, as determined by a physician | Vaporizers for cannabis flower are allowed, but smoking is prohibited. | Prohibited |
| Rhode Island
|
2006 | 2.5 ounces | None | 12 mature, 12 seedling. 24 mature, 24 seedlings maximum per household. 48 mature, 48 seedlings maximum at a non-residential property |
| South Dakota
|
2020 | 3 ounces | None | 3 plants |
| Utah
|
2018 | 113 grams | None | Prohibited |
| Vermont
|
2004 | 2 ounces | None | 2 mature, 7 seedlings |
| Virginia
|
2020 | 4 ounces every 30 days | None | 4 plants |
| Washington
|
1998 | 8 ounces | None | 6 plants |
| West Virginia
|
2017 | 30-day supply, as determined by a physician | Vaporizers for cannabis flower are allowed, but smoking is prohibited. | Prohibited |
In addition to this, the following states permit access to low-THC medical CBD products:
I live in Washington State.
As I understand Washington’s marijuana laws, the State was an early adopter of legalizing first medical marijuana, and then recreational marijuana.
I was going to apply for a medical marijuana card, but my doctor advised me not to.
His reasoning: Washington State does not sell medical (clinical) grade marijuana.
A doctor may prescribe medical marijuana – but the product is no different from buying recreational marijuana.
So, the only reason a person needs a medical marijuana license in Washington is to allow them the right to grow 6 marijuana plants – is this correct ?
What a waste of money.
And where does the license fee go ?