Wyoming: May Look Like Colorado, But Only the Wilderness

Despite being right next to Colorado (and easily confused with the state), Wyoming is not the place to get your cannabis. A lowest-level possession offense can still get you misdemeanor that could bring a 12-month incarceration sentence, along with a maximum fine of $1,000. Just being under the influence can equal six months of incarceration and a $750 fine! When the state was polled about changing Wyoming marijuana laws for recreational legalization, it showed that only 35% of residents were in favor, with an overwhelming 60% not in favor. They can’t even get decriminalization passed, as it failed in 2016, for the third year in a row.

Medical marijuana in Wyoming seems more likely at this time, as that same poll mentioned above had 72% support for adults using prescribed cannabis for their ailments. The use of CBD oil for ailments in Wyoming did pass in 2015, but that did not come with any in-state means of obtaining the oils. Is marijuana legal in Wyoming? No, but it doesn’t seem like the support is there for it anyway, besides medical uses.

Current Legal Status in Wyoming

• Medical Marijuana in Wyoming: CBD Oil Legal as of 2015
• Recreational Wyoming Marijuana Laws: Still illegal

• Policy group(s) active in state: Wyoming NORML

• Politician(s) leading legislative reform: James Byrd

• Top brand(s) based in state: None

• Tax revenue generated by legalization of any marijuana: $0

While medical marijuana in Wyoming may be seeing some support, there doesn’t seem to be much promise for making it happen soon. Just recently, James Byrd did submit a bill to change the Wyoming marijuana laws for decriminalization, so that having up to half an ounce would be a $50 civil infraction, and between a half ounce and an ounce would be a $100 civil infraction.

Wisconsin: Where Green Bay isn’t so Green

As of now, the Wisconsin marijuana laws fall behind neighbors of Minnesota, and Illinois to the south. Wisconsin still hasn’t moved towards decriminalization, which means a low-level possession offense can bring up to six months’ incarceration, as well as a maximum fine of $1,000.

Medical marijuana in Wisconsin has only seen the allowance of CBD oil usage. As of now, there’s still no way to legally obtain it in the state, but doctors can recommend it, and it can be possessed legally if you do somehow come across it. Is marijuana legal in Wisconsin? Just CBD, and just barely.

Current Legal Status in Wisconsin

• Medical Marijuana in Wisconsin: CBD Oil Legal as of 2015
• Recreational Wisconsin Marijuana Laws: Still illegal

• Policy group(s) active in state: Madison NORML, Wisconsin NORML

• Politician(s) leading legislative reform: Jay Selthofner, Melissa Sargent

• Top brand(s) based in state: None

• Tax revenue generated by legalization of any marijuana: $0

Stevens Point, one of the more liberal Wisconsin cities for marijuana, has already decriminalized, going against the Wisconsin marijuana laws since there’s been so much state inaction. Medical marijuana in Wisconsin seems to be just as far-reaching as recreational since both of these types of bills have failed to pass thus far.

It seems like Wisconsinites really want weed, so while the cities are trying to fix that themselves, the state needs to stop dragging its feet. Check out some states where you have more freedom with cannabis, by looking at all US marijuana laws here!

West Virginia: The Better of the Two Virginias

West Virginia marijuana laws are a little stricter, as far as possession goes than the penalties in Virginia; you can get up to a $2,000 fine, as well as land 90 days to six months in prison. Just like in Virginia, possession counts as a low-level misdemeanor offense.

On the plus side, the fact that medical marijuana in West Virginia has been voted in for legalization puts it miles ahead of Virginia. Starting in July of 2018, patients will be allowed to possess and use marijuana for their ailments, and dispensaries will be starting up soon after. Is marijuana legal in West Virginia? Starting in July, it will be available medically, which is a start.

Current Legal Status in West Virginia

• Medical Marijuana in West Virginia: Legal starting in July 2018
• Recreational West Virginia Marijuana Laws: Still illegal

• Policy group(s) active in state: WV NORML

• Politician(s) leading legislative reform: Jim Justice, Richard Ojeda

• Top brand(s) based in state: None yet

• Tax revenue generated by legalization of medical marijuana: $0 because they haven’t opened any business yet

The downside here (similar to New York State) is that patients still cannot smoke the plant, with current West Virginia marijuana laws. Medical marijuana in West Virginia can only be used as oil, tinctures, and products that go past the actual flower.

Medical cannabis is on the way, but smoking flower still has a long way to go, in West Virginia. Check out some states where you have more freedom with medical cannabis, by looking at all US marijuana laws here!

Washington: Officially Legal to Get as High as the Space Needle

In 2012, Washington voted to become one of the first states, along with Colorado, to legalize recreational marijuana and to create a commercial market for it. As of 2014, the first dispensaries opened, which means you can walk right in and pick up any cool products you might be looking for. One weird aspect of Washington’s legalization, however, is that cultivation is only legal if it’s licensed by the state to be part of commercial distribution, or if it’s for medical use.

Washington marijuana laws have a weird history because when medical marijuana in Washington became legal, there was no explicit clearance for dispensaries. Despite this, dispensaries did open, but in 2011, they were all ordered to close – despite a lack of previous law enforcement acknowledgment – which resulted in raids and arrests. Is marijuana legal in Washington? Yes – but as far as sales go, only recreationally, it would seem.

Current Legal Status in Washington

• Medical Marijuana in Washington: Legal to possess
• Recreational Washington Marijuana Laws: Legal since 2012

• Policy group(s) active in state: The WA Cannabis Summit, Washington NORML

• Politician(s) leading legislative reform: Pete Holmes

• Top brand(s) based in state: Sensi Sweets, Cheffettes

• Tax revenue generated by legalization of recreational marijuana in the first year: $70 million

As of now, the main fight for Washington marijuana laws is to allow recreational home growing. Pete Holmes, who originally supported the recreational legalization, is all about allowing home grow to go beyond just medical marijuana in Washington.

You can buy cannabis products to your heart’s content in Washington, but recreational growing is still a no-no, so check out where else you can purchase, by looking at all US marijuana laws here!

Virginia: Her Western Sister Might be Your Best Bet

Virginia marijuana laws used to be known for having a pretty light penalty for cultivation, with up to a $500 fine, as well as a maximum of 30 days of incarceration, for possessing small amounts. Now, of course, the whole country is shifting to be more lenient, so this is some antiquated goodness. As things stand now, there’s still a provision for losing your license with possession offenses, and the reversal of that – along with decriminalization – failed to pass in 2015.

Medical marijuana in Virginia has been a hot topic going all the way back to 1979, when the state legalized recommendations for the plant in cases of glaucoma, or to treat chemotherapy side effects. This means that a doctor can recommend it to a patient, who will then have to travel out-of-state, to obtain it from a place where it is legal. In 2015, CBD oils and THC-A oils were legalized to be used as medicine, and 2016 allowed the distribution of said oils within the state. Is marijuana legal in Virginia? Nope, but they have two legal forms of cannabinoid oils, instead of the usual one.

Current Legal Status in Virginia

• Medical Marijuana in Virginia: CBD and THC-A only, since 2015
• Recreational Virginia Marijuana Laws: Still illegal

• Policy group(s) active in state: Virginia NORML, Virginia Cannabis Group

• Politician(s) leading legislative reform: Tom Garrett, Don Beyer, Bobby Scott

• Top brand(s) based in state: None

• Tax revenue generated by legalization of any marijuana: $0

Virginia definitely has a long way to go, when it comes to catching up with the rest of the country, but even Tom Garrett – who doesn’t necessarily support decriminalization, due to his own morals – sponsored a bill for it, because he knows the attitude of the people has changed, and he wants Virginia marijuana laws to catch up to that. Bobby Scott is another vocal support of medical marijuana in Virginia, so show these guys some support, in their efforts to get Virginia’s cannabis looking like the rest of the country (or at least more like West Virginia).

Virginia at least acknowledges there could be some medical benefits with cannabis, but they need to start changing their laws for the better. You can figure out which states around have better policies and see all US marijuana laws here!

Vermont: The Green Mountains just Got Greener

In a recent turn of events, Vermont marijuana laws were updated, to make possession of recreational marijuana officially legal. After a veto of the 2017 bill, the bill was tweaked and reintroduced in the very beginning of January 2018, and it passed, going into full effect on July 1, 2018. Until the bill goes into effect, owning an ounce and under will still be a civil infraction with a $200 fine on first offense, so be careful the next couple of months. When it does go into effect, residents will be allowed to cultivate and possess up to an ounce of cannabis legally. As of now, the idea for a commercial market is being tabled until 2019, so more research can be done, putting the state in a similar boat as Massachusetts.

Medical marijuana in Vermont is the only way to get any edibles products in the state, as of now. The state actually legalized medical marijuana all the way back in 2004, and there is an up-and-running market for that. Is marijuana legal in Vermont? In July it will be, so hold your horses!

Current Legal Status in Vermont

• Medical Marijuana in Vermont: Legal since 2004
• Recreational Vermont Marijuana Laws: Will be legal as of July 1, 2018

• Policy group(s) active in state: Vermont Coalition to Regulate Marijuana, Americans for Safe Access

• Politician(s) leading legislative reform: Jean O’Sullivan, Christopher Pearson

• Top brand(s) based in state: Southern Vermont Wellness/Champlain Valley Dispensary

• Tax revenue generated by legalization of recreational marijuana: $0 because they still need to get their commercial market started

Previously, Jean O’Sullivan and Christopher Pearson submitted a satirical bill that would recriminalize alcohol in the state, to highlight how unfair it is that the two substances aren’t regulated in the same way under Vermont marijuana laws. It’s this kind of forward thinking that has this state as a trailblazer, when it comes to cannabis reform, explaining why medical marijuana in Vermont was legalized so early on.

As of July 2018, everyone will be able to grow their green in the Green Mountains. Until then, you might want to find out what’s going on in other states. You can check out all US marijuana laws here!

Utah: Surrounded by Legal Weed, but Still a Ways to Go

Utah is flanked by two states that have legalized recreational marijuana, both of which have up-and-running markets: Colorado to the east, and Nevada to the west. However, the way the Utah marijuana laws are currently set still places low-level possession offenses at a misdemeanor that could come with a $1,000 fine, as well as a possible six-month incarceration penalty. While this is a pretty hefty penalty, there does seem to be a focus at the moment on medical marijuana in Utah.

CBD oil was legalized in 2014 for medical uses, but the race to get a full medicinal system in the state has been ongoing since 2015. In February of this year, a bill was passed that lets terminally ill patients grow and use medicinal marijuana. The Utah Medical Cannabis Act Initiative will be appearing on the November ballot, which, if passed, would allow for medical use of cannabis, in all ways besides smoking the flower. Is marijuana legal in Utah? The big hope is for it to become medically legal right now.

Current Legal Status in Utah

• Medical Marijuana in Utah: CBD Oil since 2014, and legal for terminally ill patients to grow and use since 2018
• Recreational Utah Marijuana Laws: Illegal

• Policy group(s) active in state: Americans for Safe Access, Utah NORML

• Politician(s) leading legislative reform: Evan Vickers, Brian Shiozawa,

• Top brand(s) based in state: None

• Tax revenue generated by legalization of any marijuana: $0

It seems the push for medical marijuana in Utah is slowly-but-surely gaining speed, now that this new initiative for reform is on the November ballot. In 2016, we also saw a big call for reform of Utah marijuana laws, from the Democratic candidate for governor, Mike Weinholtz, after marijuana was seized from his home, which his wife, Donna, used for medical purposes. Refreshingly, this shows that Utah politicians are aware of the changes needed.

Utah has recreational weed to their left and to their right, but now, they need to make that push to at least get medical approved in-state. You might want to stop into those other states instead of Utah, in the meantime. Check out all US marijuana laws here!

Texas: Don’t Mess with Cannabis in Texas

Texas marijuana laws are certainly on the stricter side. First-time possession of two ounces or less gets you a misdemeanor, with a maximum fine of $2,000, and could have a year of incarceration attached to the penalty. That’s pretty hefty, but work is underway to lessen the restrictions in Harris County. In 2014, a First Chance Intervention program was announced in the county – which contains the city of Houston – that would allow marijuana offenders to go through drug education or community service, in place of imprisonment. In 2017, District Attorney Kim Ogg announced that people would no longer be imprisoned in Harris Country for marijuana offenses.

Medical marijuana in Texas only takes the form of CBD oil usage, so there is no legal way to use any real cannabis flower in the state. Is marijuana legal in Texas? Not yet. But it could be on its way.

Current Legal Status in Texas

• Medical Marijuana in Texas: CBD Oil only, since 2015
• Recreational Texas Marijuana Laws: Illegal, but decriminalized in Harris County

• Policy group(s) active in state: Texas NORML, Texans for Medical Marijuana, Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy, Americans for Safe Access

• Politician(s) leading legislative reform: David Simpson, Kim Ogg

• Top brand(s) based in state: None

• Tax revenue generated by legalization of any marijuana: $0

While the Texas marijuana laws may seem pretty strict outside of Harris County, the conservative Tea Party candidate, David Simpson, actually made a lot of progress with his bill to legalize recreational use, citing God as not having made a mistake in creating cannabis. Medical marijuana in Texas also has groups looking out for its legalization, so pay attention and help them out if you want Texas to get on board with neighboring New Mexico’s system.

Everything is bigger in Texas – which sadly includes possession penalties – so check out other states and figure out where to go instead, by investigating all US marijuana laws here!

Tennessee: Agriculture and Commerce is the Motto, but Not for Cannabis

If you’re trying to take a little trip down to Nashville or Memphis, know that the Tennessee marijuana laws are a bit stricter than neighboring Arkansas, but that those cities themselves have actually made their own decriminalization efforts. Both cities reduced penalties for possession of small amounts, with Memphis dropping it all the way down to $50. Outside of those two cities, however, you’ll be under state law, which puts the mandatory fine for possession at $250 and could lead to a year’s incarceration.

Medical marijuana in Tennessee is at about the bare minimum level of allowance, as far as the line for considering a cannabinoid legal. CBD oil is legal to treat some conditions, but you can only obtain it legally outside of the state, and if you can’t prove you found it legally outside of Tennessee, then it’s a misdemeanor. Is marijuana legal in Tennessee? Just barely, and only in oil form.

Current Legal Status in Tennessee

• Medical Marijuana in Tennessee: CBD Oil, only from outside the state, since 2015
• Recreational Tennessee Marijuana Laws: Illegal, but decriminalized in Nashville and Memphis

• Policy group(s) active in state: NORML Tennessee, Reform Tennessee, Tennessee Cannabis Coalition

• Politician(s) leading legislative reform: Antonio Parkinson

• Top brand(s) based in state: None

• Tax revenue generated by legalization of any marijuana: $0

The fight may seem far-fetched right now, but Beth Harwell is running for governor. While she isn’t really leading policy reform, she has said that she’s open to taking on medical marijuana in Tennessee, after seeing her sister benefit from it. As of now, public support needs to be voiced to lawmakers, so that the Tennessee marijuana laws can loosen their grip.

Tennessee has a ways to go, but at least the fun cities have relaxed a big with the penalties. If you’re looking for somewhere a little more green-friendly, you can check out all US marijuana laws here!

South Dakota: Probably the Least Weed-Friendly State

If you enjoy cannabis, the South Dakota marijuana laws are screaming for you to stay away. Seriously. A first-time offense for possession is only a misdemeanor, but that’s a misdemeanor that comes with a $2,000 fine, and it could get you up to a year in prison. Decriminalization passed in 1977, but that was very quickly repealed. Another attempt was made in 2016, but that failed as well.

Medical marijuana in South Dakota is also a failed dream. Getting the medicine legalized failed in 2006 and in 2010, but it’s going to be on the ballot again in 2018, so make sure you get the word out. Is marijuana legal in South Dakota? Nope. Not at all whatsoever. You can’t even get CBD.

Current Legal Status in South Dakota

• Medical Marijuana in South Dakota: Illegal
• Recreational South Dakota Marijuana Laws: Illegal

• Policy group(s) active in state: New Approach South Dakota,

• Politician(s) NOT leading legislative reform: Let’s just say they don’t like weed

• Top brand(s) based in state: None

• Projected tax revenue generated by legalization of recreational marijuana: $0

So yeah, South Dakota marijuana laws aren’t really changing anytime soon. Medical marijuana in South Dakota also seems pretty far off at this point, so I would just suggest shooting a bit farther north and heading to North Dakota if you can.

South Dakota killing all your good-green vibes? Check out all US marijuana laws here!