Quick answer
Medical cannabis is legal in 38 states and the District of Columbia as of 2025. Adult use is legal in 24 states and DC. Federal law still places cannabis in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. State rules differ on who qualifies, how much a patient may hold, and where a patient may buy.
Federal status
Cannabis sits in Schedule I under 21 U.S.C. 812. The DEA groups it with heroin and LSD. A Schedule I drug has no accepted medical use under federal law. That status has not changed.
Medical Cannabis Regulations by State
The FDA has approved four drugs that come from cannabis or its compounds. Epidiolex (cannabidiol) treats two rare seizure disorders. Marinol, Syndros, and Cesamet are synthetic THC products. These are prescription drugs, not dispensary products.
The 2018 Farm Bill (7 U.S.C. 1639o) removed hemp from Schedule I. Hemp is cannabis with delta-9 THC at or below 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.
What each state decides
- Qualifying conditions. Some states publish a list. Others let a physician decide.
- Patient registration. Most states require a state card or a physician certification.
- Possession limits. Common limits run from 1 ounce to 3 ounces per period. Florida sets a 70-day supply.
- THC caps. A few states set potency limits on flower and concentrates.
- Home grow. Some states let patients grow a set number of plants. Florida bans it.
- Reciprocity. Some states accept out-of-state cards. Others do not.
- Fees and taxes. Card fees run from $0 to more than $200. Some states exempt medical cannabis from sales tax.
Common qualifying conditions
Cancer, HIV/AIDS, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, glaucoma, and post-traumatic stress disorder appear on many state lists. Chronic pain appears on more lists than any other condition. Oklahoma allows any condition a physician recommends. California uses a defined list of serious medical conditions.
CBD is a separate market
Hemp CBD is legal under federal law when it meets the 0.3 percent THC limit. State law governs sale, labeling, and age limits. CBD from a dispensary is medical cannabis. CBD from a retail shelf is a hemp product. The two do not follow the same rules.
How to check a state
- Find the state health department cannabis page. That page carries the current rule.
- Read the qualifying condition list and the possession limit.
- Check the card fee and the renewal date.
- Check reciprocity if you travel.
State law changes each legislative session. Confirm the date on any source you read.