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LEGALIZED Marijuana Map: USA 2022

Dani Walton
Dani Walton
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It is no mystery to anyone that the cannabis market is the fastest growing in the US, yet at the Federal level, cannabis remains illegal. Despite that, public opinion believes that marijuana should be legal. This is reflected in the Gallup poll with 68% in support of legalizing it. Currently, 18% of Americans now admit to consuming marijuana, that is, Americans are coming out of the “cannabis closet.” The previous figure represents growth because in 2005, only 10% of the population admitted consuming the herb.

During the year 2021, the cannabis industry broke records despite the pandemic’s restrictions. It has managed to position itself at the top of the American markets. In addition to this, some states such as Connecticut, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York and Virginia legalized weed in the past year. The US Congress saw four very weak movements to legalize marijuana which did not come to fruition as this entity did not approve any project to legalize weed.

For their part, companies in the cannabis sector now have “The Safe Banking Law” which allows cannabis companies and businesses to more easily access the banking system and would end the punitive tax code that the industry is currently subjected to. It passed for the fifth time in the House but failed to make it out of the Senate. In 1996, California was the first state in the USA to legalize medical marijuana. Since then, the process of legalizing pot throughout the country has been slow and progressive. Today, 18 states allow adult use and 36 allow medical use.

Specialists affirm that the cannabis market, a nascent sector in the USA, is going to continue growing greatly. However, they do not see that legalization is possible during 2022 and less so in 2023. Some analysts say that legalization of marijuana at the Federal level could be used as part of congressional candidates’ platforms as elections in North America approach to earn the votes of potential weed-friendly voters.

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Colorado

Colorado was one of the first states to legalize the adult use of cannabis in the USA. Today, adults over the age of 21 can legally possess and gift up to one ounce of marijuana and grow up to 12 marijuana plants. It also has a type of special tax that is levied on sales to the final customer of weed that is 10% on the standard sales tax. For their part, the owners of dispensaries must pay a tax of 15% of the price of the herb they buy wholesale from the gardeners who supply it.

Washington

Washington is one of the pioneers in the legalization of pot for adult use. In 2012, a law was enacted that allows those over 21 years of age to buy and possess up to one ounce of marijuana, 16 ounces of edibles with marijuana infusion in solid form, 72 ounces of liquid marijuana-infused products, and 7 grams of marijuana concentrates. Here too, retail sales suffer from a levy that is equivalent to 37% on the sale. It is also illegal to consume marijuana in public and recreational users cannot grow the plants at home.

Alaska

During 2014, it was in Alaska where the legalization of cannabis for adult use came to light, specifically in the month of November of that year. In this state, like the previous ones, adults over 21 years of age can possess and give away up to an ounce of marijuana, but the difference is that they can grow up to six marijuana plants, although only three of those plants can be mature, meaning they can have only 3 flowering plants inside the garden. Like the other states, it is illegal to use the drug in public and legal retail sales in authorized dispensaries have a special tax on the weed that the grower is responsible for paying.

Oregon

In the same year and month as Alaska, the state of Oregon legalized the use of marijuana for adults. Adults over 21 years of age can possess up to an ounce of marijuana if they are in public and up to 8 ounces at home. They consider there to be a difference between public and private space, something that the laws of other states do not say openly.

The amounts are also different here. Adults can have up to 16 ounces of a marijuana product if it is in solid form such as an edible or up to 72 ounces of a marijuana product in liquid form. As for cultivators, they can grow up to four cannabis plants. However, it is illegal in Oregon to use marijuana in a public place. Retail sales tax is 17% and is legal at licensed dispensaries plus cities and counties may add up to an additional 3% tax in some cases.

California

Adults over 21 years old since November of 2016 can freely acquire, cultivate, and consume weed. One ounce of cannabis and up to 8 grams of concentrated cannabis are permitted by law.

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Adults can also grow up to six live cannabis plants. You can’t smoke or ingest marijuana such as edibles in public places or consuming in a car. In this case, retail sales have specific taxes of 15% and local governments can also impose additional taxes as they see fit.

Maine

This state continued with the wave of legalizations in 2016 and according to its norm, people 21 and older in Maine can use and possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and grow up to six flowering and 12 immature, non-flowering marijuana plants. Here too, we see a variation from other states. As in the other states, Maine imposes a 15% excise tax and a 10% sales tax on marijuana.

Massachusetts

This state was not far behind also legalizing marijuana for adult use in 2016. Adults over the age of 21 in Massachusetts can carry up to one ounce of marijuana and can have up to 10 ounces at home. Another important point is that home cultivation is allowed. Residents can grow up to 6 plants per person and up to 12 plants in a household of two or more people. Dispensaries authorized for the sale of marijuana must pay a special tax of 10.75% that is established by the state. In addition, towns and cities can also impose a special tax of a maximum of 3% on sales.

Nevada

The legalizing avalanche also reached Nevada where in November 2016, the adult use of cannabis was regulated. Therefore, Nevadans over the age of 21 can have up to an ounce of marijuana and up to an eighth of an ounce of concentrated marijuana with differences between marijuana buds and cannabis extracts. Adult growers can also grow up to six plants, or 12 plants per household, and it is illegal to use marijuana in public or in a car. Dispensaries authorized to sell weed must pay a 10% excise tax in addition to the state sales tax.

Vermont

Since January 2018, it has become legal to grow and possess marijuana in Vermont, but the weed cannot be bought or sold. This situation is expected to be changed in October 2022 when retailers (dispensaries) will start receiving licenses. For their part, growers can grow two flowering and four immature marijuana plants per household and possess up to one ounce of marijuana.

Michigan

The wave of legalization also came to Michigan in 2018 when the consumption, possession, and cultivation of marijuana became legal for those over 21 years of age. This new law allows people to grow up to 12 plants in a home and possess up to 2.5 ounces of weed and 15 grams of concentrated marijuana. Here, we can also see a difference between buds and pot extracts or concentrates.

As of 2019, seniors can own up to an ounce of marijuana and can grow up to six plants, although they can’t put more than three to flower. Up to an ounce of marijuana can be given to friends. Until today, the purchase and sale of marijuana remains illegal because the regulation of this market was paralyzed due to the pandemic.

Illinois

Beginning in 2020, it became legal for Illinois residents over the age of 21 to possess 30 grams of marijuana, 5 grams of concentrated cannabis, and products containing up to 500 milligrams of THC. Also, the rule takes into account adults who are not residents of Illinois because they can have half of those amounts while they are in the state.

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It is important to note that in Illinois, sales are taxed in relation to the amount of THC contained in the marijuana. Cannabis with more than 35% THC will be taxed at 25% while cannabis with less THC will be taxed at 10%. For its part, cannabis-infused products will be subject to a 20% tax. In cities, municipalities can also impose up to 3% sales tax.

New York

In January 2021, Governor Andrew Cuomo made the Marijuana Tax and Regulation Act legal for adult use. This new law allows people over the age of 21 to legally possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis for recreational purposes, establishes two regulatory agencies to oversee its sale and distribution, and authorizes people convicted of marijuana-related crimes and committed prior to the ruling to have a clean record.

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Virginia

In 2021, both houses of the Virginia General Assembly passed SB1406, which allows people age 21 and older to possess up to 1 ounce of recreational marijuana beginning July 1, 2021. This law also allows residents to cultivate up to four cannabis plants. The enacted measure does not establish a regulation for the granting of licenses for the retail sale of marijuana for adult use.

New Mexico

The Governor of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham, activated HB2 on April 12 which legally allows adults over the age of 21 to grow cannabis plants at home. It allows 6 per person and a maximum of 12 per house as well as “certain” amounts of weed outside of the home. State-licensed dispensaries will be able to sell recreational marijuana starting April 1, 2022.

Connecticut

Connecticut legalized recreational and adult-use cannabis in 2021. People over the age of 21 can possess up to 1.5 ounces of recreational cannabis plus another five ounces in a home or vehicle. Retail sales are also legal, but they are not expected to start until the summer of 2022. Importantly, people with a history of cannabis can ask for their records to be cleared according to the new law. 

If you want to grow plants in the USA, you can do it in one of these states because it is completely legal. It is good to keep in mind that Blimburn Seeds has the best marijuana seeds for sale. At Blimburn Seeds, you can find a great stock of strains between mostly hybrid strains, mostly sativa strains or mostly indica strains. You will find feminized cannabis seeds, regular weed seeds, fast flowering seeds, and autoflowering seeds. With all of them, you can obtain powerful cannabis plants with good bud production and a lot of resin. Buy your weed seeds here at Blimburn Seeds, the largest seed bank in the USA and Canada.

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Dani Walton

Dani Walton is a highly accomplished cannabis expert and entrepreneur hailing from the Bay Area. With an impressive track record spanning over 20 years, Dani has amassed a wealth of experience in the cannabis industry. Her journey has taken her across the globe, as she traveled with the executive team of Harborside for more than 11 years, passionately advocating for the positive impacts of the cannabis plant.

During her tenure at Harborside, Dani excelled in managing wholesale and distribution for Harborside's farm, while also playing a pivotal role in the development of their in-house brand, Key. Following her departure from Harborside, Dani embarked on a new venture, co-founding NXTLVL, a women-owned concentrate delivery service that quickly gained recognition and Agris Farms. A beautiful 5 acre light dep farm located in Woodland, near Sacramento.

Her extensive knowledge encompasses the latest consumer trends, cannabis sales, extraction techniques, cultivation methods, new brands and products, as well as the evolving science of cannabis medicine. Recognized as a respected authority in the industry, Dani has served as a judge for esteemed cannabis competitions such as Chalice, High Times, Dab- A- Doo, The Organic Cup and The Emerald Cup. Her expertise and insights have been sought after by renowned publications and media outlets, including Forbes, The Guardian, The Independent, and many others.

With her remarkable background and unwavering commitment to advancing the cannabis industry, Dani Walton stands as a true pioneer and an influential figure in the field.

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