U.S. States Where Recreational Weed Is Legal
In 2012, the States of Colorado and Washington passed a bill legalizing recreational cannabis.
Shortly after, on 2014 New Year's Day, the first-ever recreational sale took place in Denver, marking the beginning of recreational cannabis use in America and stamping a significant milestone in the history of the cannabis plant.
Fast forward to 2025, and the once restricted and underground market is now being openly embraced and legally sold in dispensaries across 23 states.
In this article, I'm going to reveal the States where weed is legal for recreational use and see what this means for anyone planning a trip to a legal U.S. state for a 420 vacation.
State vs. Federal Cannabis Laws
When it comes to weed laws in the United States, things can get a little bit confusing. On one hand, you can walk into a dispensary and buy cannabis as if it were a stick of chewing gum. On the other hand, you need to bear in mind that cannabis is still classified as a Schedule I drug, meaning that federally, it remains illegal and subject to strict controls.
State Law
State laws rule locally within the state only. If you're in a state where recreational weed is legal, you can buy, possess, and consume cannabis as long as it's kept within state lines. Each state has its own rules regarding purchasing limits, possession limits, and where you can consume.
Federal Law
Federal law rules nationwide, meaning that cannabis remains illegal, and things like mailing it, consuming weed on federal property, and crossing state lines with weed are against the law, even if you brought the weed from a legal state to enter another legal state.
Federal law has the power to enforce restrictions in states where marijuana is legal, but the responsibility for enforcement has been mostly left to individual states.
What Does Recreational Weed Mean?
Recreational weed is when cannabis is used for non-medical purposes. Unlike medical cannabis, which is only available to qualifying patients, recreational cannabis is available for any adult over the age of 21 to purchase and consume legally.
All you need to do is walk in, show your ID, and you're good to go!
What you need to know:
- Who Can Buy It? Anyone over the age of 21.
- Where Do You Get It? From licensed dispensaries.
- What Can You Buy? Anything cannabis based.
- How Much Can You Have? Possession limits vary by state.
It's that easy to access weed in a state where it's legal.
States Where Weed Is Legal for Recreational Use
Below, you can find the U.S. States where weed is 100% legal for recreational use.
States
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Illinois
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
To view the purchase and possession limits for each U.S. State, check out this table.
What This Means for Visitors
If you are planning on doing a cannabis tour of the United States, I guess you're wondering if you can travel to these states and enjoy some recreational cannabis without any problems.
Well, the answer is yes!
You can buy, purchase, and consume recreational weed as long as you are in a state where it's legal, it's from a licensed dispensary, you are over the age of 21, and you provide a valid government-issued ID like a driver's license or a passport.
Where Can You Legally Consume?
You can legally consume cannabis in private residences and specialized accommodation services that cater to cannabis users, like Bud and Breakfast. Depending on the state you are in, you can also consume in state-approved hospitality businesses like lounges and cafes.
Where Can't You Consume?
You cannot consume in public spaces, on federal land, in vehicles (even when parked), or anywhere where smoking of any kind is prohibited.
Remember, even though you are in a state where cannabis is legal, hotels and property hosts have the right to prohibit cannabis use on their premises.
Can I Cross State Lines With Weed?
No, crossing state lines with weed is illegal under federal law, including crossing from a legal state into another legal state with weed.
Are there age restrictions for buying recreational cannabis?
Yes. Recreational cannabis is only legal for adults 21 and older in all states that have legalized it. You'll need a valid ID to purchase from licensed dispensaries.
How Old Do You Have To Be To Buy Cannabis?
You must be 21 or older to purchase recreational cannabis in a U.S. state where it's legal. You'll need to provide a valid ID, like a driver's license or passport, before making a purchase.