Back in 2012, the states of Washington and Colorado were the first to pass laws legalizing marijuana for recreational usage. Soon to follow were Alaska and Washington D.C. in 2014. In November of 2016 four additional states have been added to the list of states where the personal use and possession of marijuana is legal. But while all 8 states have passes measures to legalize cannabis, not all laws are created equal.
Here is a simple breakdown of the 8 states where recreational marijuana is legal and how those laws apply:
Alaska
Vote passed: 2014
Legal amount of possession: 1 ounce
Homegrown plant allowance: 6 cannabis plants, 3 of which may be flowering
Retail availability: Marijuana stores (first opened in October 2016)
California
Vote passed: November 2016
Legal amount of possession: 1 ounce dry flower
Homegrown plant allowance: 6 plants indoors
Retail availability: Stores scheduled to open January 2018
Colorado
Vote passed: 2012
Legal amount of possession: 1 ounce marijuana or THC
Homegrown plant allowance: 6 cannabis plants, 3 of which may be flowering
Retail availability: Retail sales began in 2014
Maine
Vote passed: November 2016
Legal amount of possession: Up to 2.5 ounces
Homegrown plant allowance: 6 flowering plants at home
Retail availability: Retails stores expected to open August 2017
Massachusetts
Vote passed: November 2016
Legal amount of possession: Up to 10 ounces inside home, 1 ounce in public
Homegrown plant allowance: 6 mature plants at home
Retail availability: Retail stores slated for sometime in 2018
Nevada
Vote passed: November 2016
Legal amount of possession: 1 ounce
Homegrown plant allowance: 6 plants in homes outside 25-mile radius of retail stores
Retail availability: Anticipated to begin sometime in 2017
Oregon
Vote passed: 2014
Legal amount of possession: 1 ounce
Homegrown plant allowance: 4 plants at home
Retail availability: Medical dispensaries selling recreationally since 2015
Washington
Vote passed: 2012
Legal amount of possession: 1 ounce
Homegrown plant allowance: Growing / cultivation not allowed at home
Retail availability: Licensed shops opened in July 2014