Where is Medical Marijuana Legal?
Posted onMedical marijuana is legal in 18 states and the District of Columbia, and in February 2013, legislation was proposed in the Missouri House of Representatives to legalize medical marijuana in Missouri.
A federal law makes it illegal to possess or distribute marijuana in the United States, but the following states contradict federal law by permitting the use of marijuana for medical purposes:
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia all allow the use of medical marijuana to relieve pain, anxiety and nausea in people suffering from such diseases as cancer, glaucoma, AIDs, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis.
Which States Will Be Next to Legalize Medical Marijuana?
The following 10 states have pending legislation to legalize medical marijuana or medical cannabis: Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, and West Virginia. Click here for a summary of proposed legislation to legalize medical marijuana.
Legislation is Pending in Missouri to Legalize Medical Marijuana
In February 2013, Missouri Rep. Mike Colona (D-St. Louis City) reintroduced legislation to remove criminal penalties for the medical use of marijuana. House Bill 688 would allow patients with a doctor’s approval to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana and grow up to three mature pot plants and up to four immature pot plants. HB 688 also authorizes the state to license nonprofit medical marijuana dispensaries.
Recreational Use of Marijuana is Legal Only in Colorado and Washington
On November 6, 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. In those states, anyone age 21 or over can possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana for personal use. If you want to grow your own, Colorado limits you to 6 pot plants per person. Washington does not allow cultivation of marijuana plants.
In addition to Colorado and Washington, Oregon was the only other state to have a proposition on its ballot in November 2012 to allow the recreational use of marijuana, but voters failed to approve it.
Call St. Louis criminal defense attorney Andrea Storey Rogers at (314) 724-5059 for a price quote for legal representation if you have been charged with possession of marijuana or drug paraphernalia in Missouri. Or email Andrea at [email protected].
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