A State-by-State Map of Marijuana Legalization

The decriminalization of cannabis in this country is happening, and rapidly. Twenty-three states, as well as the District of Columbia, now have laws legalizing marijuana in some way, and it’s likely that Arizona, Vermont, and Maine will join the list. Governing has posted a map that provides insight on the legalization of marijuana, state by state.

Beyond the basics of the legalization map, the magazine indicates that states’ medical marijuana laws vary greatly in scope and the types of medical conditions that are allowed for treatment by cannabis. Some states have passed laws allowing residents to possess cannabis oil for medical reasons. “Most recently, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal signed a law legalizing the possession of up to 20 ounces of cannabis oil,” Governing says.

There certainly is incentive for legalization. According to ArcView Group, a company that tracks the marijuana industry, legal marijuana sales in the country reached $4.6 billion in 2014 and climbed to $5.4 billion in 2015.

Courtesy of Governing magazine