{"id":735,"date":"2021-08-27T05:07:53","date_gmt":"2021-08-27T05:07:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/CAIiEBclkiqB1uWTrqH6fq0xFu8qGQgEKhAIACoHCAow3PqICzCFiIgDMOX-owY"},"modified":"2021-08-27T05:07:53","modified_gmt":"2021-08-27T05:07:53","slug":"marijuana-legalization-continues-to-grow-2021-laws-map-governing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/?p=735","title":{"rendered":"Marijuana Legalization Continues to Grow: 2021 Laws Map &#8211; Governing"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>                   <title>Marijuana Legalization Continues to Grow: 2021 Laws Map<\/title>  <!-- Tiny Rich Text Editor --> <!--This is needed for custom elements to function in browsers that support them natively but that are using es6 code transpiled to es5. This will cause a non-fatal error to show up in the IE11 console. It can be safely ignored. https:\/\/github.com\/webcomponents\/webcomponentsjs\/issues\/749 -->  <!-- Putting icons here, so we don't have to include in a bunch of -body hbs's --> <\/p>\n<div class=\"BrowserCompatibility\" data-dialogue data-show-on-internet-explorer data-show-dialogue>\n<div class=\"BrowserCompatibility-container\">\n<div class=\"BrowserCompatibility-body\">\n<h2 class=\"BrowserCompatibility-title\"> Internet Explorer 11 is not supported <\/h2>\n<div class=\"BrowserCompatibility-text RichTextBody\">\n<p>For optimal browsing, we recommend Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p> <!-- Microsite Header --> <\/p>\n<div class=\"Page-content\">\n<div class=\"ArticlePage-lede\">\n<div class=\"ArticlePage-lede-content\">\n<div class=\"Page-breadcrumbs\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.governing.com\/now\" data-cms-ai=\"0\">The Future of What\u2019s Happening Now<\/a> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"Page-oneColumn\" data-modulewell> <main class=\"Page-main\" data-module data-padding=\"none\"> <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"Page-subHeadline\">A comprehensive view of the states\u2019 marijuana laws regarding medical use, workplace accommodations and driving under the influence. Today, 36 states and the District of Columbia allow medical use of marijuana.<\/h2>\n<div class=\"ArticlePage-actions-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"Page-byline\"><!-- one off dateline --> <\/p>\n<p>August 27, 2021&nbsp;\u2022&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"Page-authors\"> <!-- one off byline --><a href=\"https:\/\/www.governing.com\/authors\/Zoe-Manzanetti.html\" data-cms-ai=\"0\"><span>Zoe Manzanetti<\/span><\/a> <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"Page-articleBody RichTextBody\">Currently, 18 states and the District of Columbia have the broadest allowances for marijuana use, legalizing medical and adult recreational use; a handful of other states have passed legislation allowing medical marijuana.<\/p>\n<p>Overall, 47 states have some form of cannabis allowance, only Idaho, Kansas and Nebraska do not have any public programs for marijuana use. But marijuana laws and programs remain a highly contested topic and often see modifications as political power changes. (See also: <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.governing.com\/archive\/state-marijuana-laws-map-medical-recreational.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">State Marijuana Laws from 2019 Map<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this year, Mississippi <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/mississippitoday.org\/2021\/05\/14\/mississippi-supreme-court-overturns-medical-marijuana-initiative-65\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">overturned a 2020 &nbsp;medical-use marijuana<\/a> measure, which could make the state\u2019s already limited laws even tighter. South Dakota, which currently allows medical marijuana use, ruled earlier this year that a <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.argusleader.com\/story\/news\/2021\/02\/12\/south-dakota-attorney-general-jason-ravnsborg-office-legal-marijuana-decision\/6744685002\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">2020 measure for nonmedical usage was unconstitutiona<\/a>l and is awaiting appeal. Colorado, the first state to legalize marijuana in 2012, will <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.denverpost.com\/2021\/06\/24\/colorado-marijuana-pot-thc-restrictions-new-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">limit high-potency concentrates in 2022<\/a> in an effort to decrease teenagers\u2019 access to cannabis. But other states, including <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/legiscan.com\/AL\/bill\/SB46\/2021\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Alabama<\/a> and <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/lis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?201+ful+CHAP0730&amp;201+ful+CHAP0730\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Virginia<\/a>, saw expansions of their marijuana programs within the last 18 months and <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/cga.ct.gov\/asp\/cgabillstatus\/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&amp;which_year=2021&amp;bill_num=1201\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Connecticut<\/a> was the latest state to legalize recreational use of cannabis with the passage of SB 1201 in June.<\/p>\n<p><span data-bsp-pv=\"4f8e492c-6f2f-390e-bc61-f176d3a37ab9\"><\/span><span data-bsp-pv=\"0000017b-83b3-d839-a37f-dfb7c3210001\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/main><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Despite most states approving its use, marijuana is still considered a <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsl.org\/research\/civil-and-criminal-justice\/marijuana-overview.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Schedule I illegal substance by federal law<\/a>. But pressure is mounting to legalize cannabis nationally as the industry grows. Insurance lenders, testing labs and retailers are eager to keep up with the increasing demand (some businesses were even offering free <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.governing.com\/now\/beer-weed-one-million-dollars-states-vaccine-incentives\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">weed as an incentive<\/a> for getting vaccinated against COVID-19). Legal cannabis sales <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/us-cannabis-insurers-get-ready-roll-federal-legalization-nears-2021-08-19\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">increased 45 percent last year and are predicted to reach $41 billion by 2026<\/a>, but until there are federal policies, states will be left to determine how they will navigate the growing business.<\/p>\n<p><b>Medicinal Marijuana<\/b><\/p>\n<p>There are 36 states and the District of Columbia that allow medical-use marijuana, while 11 states permit high cannabidiol (CBD) and low THC level products for medical reasons in limited situations or as a legal defense. According to data from the <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsl.org\/research\/health\/state-medical-marijuana-laws.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">National Conference of State Legislatures<\/a> (NCSL), these \u201clow THC, high CBD\u201d programs are not considered \u201ccomprehensive\u201d cannabis programs.<\/p>\n<p>For a state\u2019s marijuana programs to be comprehensive, they must protect medical marijuana users from criminal penalties; provide access to marijuana through home cultivation, dispensaries or some other system; allow a variety of strains or products, including those with more than \u201clow THC\u201d; allow either smoking or vaping of some kind of cannabis products, plant material or extract; and be not a limited trial program, like the one in Nebraska.<\/p>\n<p><b>Marijuana and the Workplace<\/b><\/p>\n<p>According to NCSL, <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsl.org\/research\/labor-and-employment\/cannabis-employment-laws.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">13 states provide medical cannabis anti-discrimination employee protections<\/a>. Of those states, only one, Nevada, requires accommodations for medical marijuana and offers anti-discrimination protections for recreational cannabis use. Maine previously provided recreational protections, but the statute was repealed in 2017.<\/p>\n<p>But as cannabis use continues to expand, other states have proposed and considered marijuana-in-the-workplace legislation. Wisconsin considered legalizing recreational cannabis use and including employment protections. New Jersey\u2019s <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.njleg.state.nj.us\/bills\/BillView.asp?BillNumber=A10\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">AB 10<\/a> would require employers to prove how an employee\u2019s use of medical marijuana outside of work impaired or interfered with the individual\u2019s ability to do their job before taking disciplinary action. Other states, like <a class=\"Link\" href=\"http:\/\/www.akleg.gov\/basis\/Bill\/Detail\/?Root=SB%208\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Alaska<\/a>, <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/ilga.gov\/legislation\/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2367&amp;GAID=14&amp;DocTypeID=HB&amp;LegID=103003&amp;SessionID=91&amp;SpecSess=&amp;Session=&amp;GA=100\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Illinois<\/a> and <a class=\"Link\" href=\"http:\/\/iga.in.gov\/legislative\/2019\/bills\/house\/1384#document-b5eb7b8e\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Indiana<\/a>, have considered reducing employment barriers for individuals with previous convictions of low-level cannabis offenses and what employers may or may not allow within the workplace regarding marijuana use.<\/p>\n<p><b>High on the Highway<\/b><\/p>\n<p>As marijuana becomes more accessible across the nation, states are grappling with the safety risks that the drug can pose. The <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nhtsa.gov\/sites\/nhtsa.gov\/files\/812118-roadside_survey_2014.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">NHTSA\u2019s 2013-2014 National Roadside Survey<\/a> revealed that while the presence of alcohol use in drivers over the last several decades has decreased, the occurrence of marijuana has risen. There was a 4 percent increase in weekend nighttime drivers who tested positive for marijuana use and, among fatally injured drivers who were tested, <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nhtsa.gov\/sites\/nhtsa.gov\/files\/documents\/13839-drugged_facts_flyer_101918_v8_002.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">marijuana use more than doubled<\/a> from 8 percent in 2007 to 18 percent in 2016.<\/p>\n<p>Testing and determining impairment is difficult when it comes to drug use. Marijuana affects individuals differently and can stay in a person\u2019s system for weeks, which could trigger a roadside test without causing impairment. Some states have launched oral fluid testing pilot programs. The most common marijuana detection methods are through blood, urine or saliva, adding to the complexity of verifying intoxication and impairment. While there is a national level of impairment for drunk driving, there is no equivalent for marijuana or other drugs, leaving the management of marijuana-impaired driving up to the states.<\/p>\n<p>Six states \u00af Washington, Montana, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Nevada &#8211; have specific <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.law.cornell.edu\/wex\/per_se\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">per se laws<\/a> for THC that consider a person to be impaired after reaching or surpassing a set limit, ranging from 1 nanogram to 5 nanograms. Colorado is unique in that it has a <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/leg.colorado.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/16-01_driving_under_the_influence_of_drugs_or_alcohol_issue_brief.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">reasonable inference law<\/a>, which allows drivers who are charged to introduce a defense to show they were not impaired, for instances in which THC is identified in a driver\u2019s blood at levels of 5ng\/ml or higher. Eleven states have zero-tolerance laws for certain drugs, including cannabis\u2019 THC; South Dakota\u2019s zero-tolerance law applies to drivers under the age of 21.<\/p>\n<p>Driving with <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsl.org\/research\/transportation\/driving-with-cannabis-in-a-vehicle.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">cannabis in the vehicle<\/a> is very similar to \u201copen container\u201d laws that limit alcohol consumption in motor vehicles and is considered illegal when the cannabis product has been opened or has a broken seal and is not within the trunk of the vehicle.<\/p>\n<p>Information is current as of June 2021.<\/p>\n<p><b>2021 State Marijuana Programs, Detailed<\/b><\/p>\n<div class=\"tableauPlaceholder\" id=\"viz1630002478375\"><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.governing.com\/now\/marijuana-legalization-continues-to-grow-2021-laws-map#\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Dashboard 1 \" src=\"https:\/\/public.tableau.com\/static\/images\/MJ\/MJ_Laws_2021_Table\/Dashboard1\/1_rss.png\"><\/a><\/div>\n<p><i>Table compiled from National Conference of State Legislatures&#8217; data on <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsl.org\/research\/civil-and-criminal-justice\/marijuana-overview.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">cannabis legalization<\/a>, <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsl.org\/research\/health\/state-medical-marijuana-laws.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">state medical marijuana programs<\/a>, <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsl.org\/research\/labor-and-employment\/cannabis-employment-laws.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">cannabis and employment laws<\/a>. Information last updated August 2021.<\/i><\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><i>[Map by <a class=\"Link\" href=\"http:\/\/quorum.us\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Quorum<\/a>]<\/i> <\/p>\n<div class=\"Page-authorInfo \" data-with-image>\n<div class=\"Page-authorInfo-image\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.governing.com\/authors\/Zoe-Manzanetti.html\" data-cms-ai=\"0\">    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Zoe Manzanetti\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/erepublic.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/7514978\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3888x3888+648+0\/resize\/100x100!\/quality\/90\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Ferepublic-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F91%2F46%2F83f55a98b9d207b596da92e1833b%2Fmanzanetti-zoe.jpg\">  <\/a> <\/div>\n<div class=\"Page-authorInfo-content\">\n<div class=\"Page-authorInfo-name\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.governing.com\/authors\/Zoe-Manzanetti.html\" data-cms-ai=\"0\">Zoe Manzanetti<\/a> <\/div>\n<p> Zoe is the web producer and a writer for <i>Governing<\/i>. <\/p>\n<div class=\"Page-authorInfo-seeMore\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.governing.com\/authors\/Zoe-Manzanetti.html\" data-cms-ai=\"0\">See More Stories by Zoe Manzanetti<\/a> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <!-- Contributors -->  <\/p>\n<div class=\"Newsletter-container\">\n<p> Never miss a story with Governing&#8217;s Daily newsletter. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>  <button class=\"GoogleDfpMobileAd-close\" data-close>  <\/button>    <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Marijuana Legalization Continues to Grow: 2021 Laws Map Internet Explorer 11 is not supported For optimal browsing, we recommend Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers. The Future of What\u2019s Happening Now A comprehensive view of the states\u2019 marijuana laws regarding medical use, workplace accommodations and driving under the influence. Today, 36 states and the District of Columbia allow medical use of marijuana. August 27, 2021&nbsp;\u2022&nbsp; Zoe Manzanetti Currently, 18 states and the District of Columbia have the broadest allowances for marijuana use, legalizing medical and adult recreational use; a handful of other states have passed legislation allowing medical marijuana. Overall, 47&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-735","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-connecticut-cbd-news"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/735","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=735"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/735\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=735"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=735"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=735"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}