The Evolution of Cannabis Restrictions in the US

In 2023 42% of all US states have legalized the use of recreational marijuana. With more states legalizing both recreational and medical marijuana, it is predicted that more states will legalize all cannabis products before 2030, but there are still some states that have not legalized any forms. 

Currently, there are 17 that have fully legalized marijuana in all forms. Many other states have legalized medical marijuana and CBD products that do not surpass certain percentages of THC. What has been seen in the past is that once a state legalizes medical marijuana, recreational use is often legalized shortly after. 

California legalized medical marijuana in 1996, and 7,308 days later recreational use was approved as well. The time between medical and recreational use being legalized has been lowering over the years though, with Massachusetts only waiting 1,463 days between medical and recreational cannabis being legalized. 
More than 50 federal bills were introduced in 2022 hoping to further legalize cannabis in the United States. With greater activity surrounding the Controlled Substances Act and the Cannabis Opportunity Act, restrictions will continue to evolve in the coming years as more states legalize cannabis and related products. To learn more about the legalization of cannabis and CBD, take a look at the infographic below: