Quick answer
Cannabis legality depends on where you stand. In the United States, 24 states plus the District of Columbia allow cannabis for adults 21 and older as of early 2025. About 40 states permit medical cannabis with a doctor's approval. Federal US law still bans cannabis and lists it as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Hemp-derived CBD with 0.3 percent THC or less is legal nationwide under the 2018 Farm Bill.
Outside the United States, Canada, Uruguay, Malta, Luxembourg, and Germany run national adult-use systems. Many other countries allow medical cannabis, decriminalize possession, or tolerate private use.
United States: adult-use states
Adults 21 and older can buy, possess, and consume cannabis under state law in these states:
- Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado
- Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine
- Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota
- Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey
- New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon
- Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington
- District of Columbia
Some of these states allow possession before retail stores open. Delaware and Minnesota are in that group, so a legal status does not always mean a shop is nearby.
Medical-only states
A second group allows cannabis only for patients with a qualifying condition and a state-issued card. Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, and West Virginia sit in this group. Rules cover who can prescribe, what conditions qualify, and where patients can buy.
States with the tightest rules
Idaho and Kansas allow no medical or adult-use cannabis. Several other states limit legal access to low-THC CBD oil for specific conditions, and a handful restrict CBD sales to state-licensed outlets.
Canada and other countries
Canada legalized adult-use cannabis nationwide in 2018 and sells it through provincial retailers. Uruguay legalized in 2013 and sells through pharmacies and clubs. Malta and Luxembourg permit limited home growing. Germany legalized possession and home cultivation for adults in 2024 and added cannabis social clubs. Mexico's Supreme Court struck down the possession ban, though retail rules remain incomplete. South Africa permits private adult use after a 2018 court ruling. Thailand legalized cannabis in 2022 and then tightened access in 2025, pushing sales toward medical channels.
Where hemp CBD fits
Hemp CBD sits outside most of the cannabis debate in the United States. The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp and its derivatives from the Controlled Substances Act when THC stays at or below 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis. That makes hemp CBD shippable across state lines and legal in most states, even where marijuana is banned. State rules still vary on labeling, testing, age limits, and retail licensing.
How to check the rules where you live
- Confirm the status of adult-use, medical cannabis, and hemp CBD for your state or country.
- Check possession limits, measured in grams, ounces, or plant counts.
- Check who may sell: licensed dispensaries, pharmacies, or hemp retailers only.
- Check home grow rules, including plant counts and whether growing needs registration.
- Check driving, workplace, and housing rules, since legal use can still trigger penalties.
- Check travel rules before you cross a state line or a national border, because most crossings remain illegal.
Bottom line
Adult-use cannabis is legal in 24 US states plus DC and in a small set of countries. Medical cannabis covers a wider map. Hemp CBD with minimal THC is legal in most of the United States. Verify current local law before you buy, carry, or travel with any cannabis product.