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John Hagen, attorney and writer, stated:

“If you have a ‘SCIENCE IS REAL’ sign in your yard and you’re in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana, you should do some reading. The evidence emphatically disfavors legalization….

The underlying menace is potency. Today’s marijuana is not the Woodstock weed of bygone years (1% to 3% THC). Genetic engineering has brought plant potency above 17%, and concentrates (in edibles, vapes and other products) can approach 99%.”

—John Hagen, “Follow the Science: Don’t Legalize Pot,” startribune.com, Jan. 2, 2023

Joe Carter, Senior writer for The Gospel Coalition, stated:

“[Many] have an outdated and erroneous view of the harms of marijuana. The belief that the drug is nonaddictive, relatively harmless, and no serious threat to individuals or society has been the rationale that’s led to the legalization of marijuana in over a dozen states….

Some churchgoers will still support legalization even knowing how it damages both individuals and society. But I believe many Christians who are concerned with loving their neighbor (Mark 12:31) will change their opinion based on the evidence. If we truly “seek the welfare of the city where [God has sent us] into exile” (Jer. 29:7), we’ll continue to oppose the legalization—and normalization—of this dangerous drug.”

— Joe Carter, “Why Christians Should Oppose Marijuana Legalization,” thegospelcoalition.org, Oct. 22, 2022

Peter Bensinger, former administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, stated:

“Marijuana isn’t harmless. Nor is it legal under federal law, and for good reason. It contains more than 460 different chemicals and, as the editorial board points out, it’s four to five times more powerful than the marijuana of the 1970s, ’80s or ’90s.

Extensive scientific research has documented serious harm to brain development for teenage regular users, major consequences for pregnant and nursing mothers and significant impairment for drivers and others performing sensitive tasks. Colorado, the first state to legalize marijuana, leads the nation in use by 12-to-17-year-olds. Meanwhile, the gangs and drug dealers are cheering because their sales have skyrocketed, selling to minors and others at lower prices than dispensaries can offer.

Policy makers need to examine the consequences of legalization: changes in teenage use, traffic accidents and fatalities, emergency room and treatment admissions, homelessness and more.”

—Peter Bensinger, letter to the Wall Street Journal, wsj.com, Jan. 2, 2020

Teresa Haley, State President of the NAACP Illinois, stated:

“We believe strongly that past and current practices of the tobacco, alcohol and marijuana industries prove that these industries target, exploit and victimize communities of color. At a time when we are all working to bring more opportunity and advancement to our communities, legalizing today’s high-potency marijuana will work counter to those efforts.

The vast majority of legal pot businesses are owned by wealthy, white investors. Commercial marijuana is NOT social justice. It’s about Big Tobacco, Pharma and Wall Street investors preying on people of color and hooking them on a dangerous product for years to come. It’s about putting profits ahead of people…

Today’s high-THC content marijuana, including liquids, oils and edible forms pose significant mental and physical health risks, especially for our young people …

We have stood steadfast in our opposition to commercial marijuana in Michigan and New Jersey, and we urge you to do the same.”

— Teresa Haley, letter to the Speaker of the New York State Assembly and the President and Majority Leader of the New York State Senate, blog.timesunion.com, Mar. 13, 2019

State-by-State Recreational Marijuana Laws

Please consult the state for the most recent information. All state marijuana laws include the minimum age of 21 for use.

State How Passed Law Possession Limits: Usable Marijuana Possession Limits: Plants Possession Limits: Hash & Concentrates
Alaska Ballot Measure 2 Alaska Statute Chapter 17.38: The Regulation of Marijuana up to 1 oz up to 6 plants with no more than 3 mature plants Possession of hash and concentrates is illegal. Possession of up to 3 g is a misdemeanor, more is a felony.
Approved Nov. 4, 2014 by 53% of voters Effective: Feb. 24, 2015
Arizona Smart and Safe Arizona Act (Prop 207) Smart and Safe Arizona Act up to 1 oz Up to 6 plants per person; up to 12 plants for a single residence with more than one 21+ resident up to 5 grams
Approved Nov. 3, 2020 by 59.95% of voters Effective: Nov. 30, 2020; sales Mar. 2021
California Proposition 64: The Adult Use Marijuana Act Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act up to 1 oz up to 6 plants, including the harvest from those 6 plants up to 8 g (more than 8 g is a misdemeanor)
Approved Nov. 9, 2016 by 57% of voters Effective: Nov. 9, 2016 (revised penalties); Jan. 1, 2018 (retail sales); 2023 (restrictions to be lifted on large-scale corporations)
Colorado Amendment 64 Colorado Constitution: Article 18, section 16 up to 1 oz up to 6 plants with no more than 3 mature plants up to 1 oz
Approved Nov. 6, 2012 by 55% of voters Effective: Dec. 10, 2012 (revised penalties) Jan. 1, 2014 (commercial sales)
Connecticut SB 1201 SB 1201 up to 1.5 oz; up to 5oz in a locked container up to 6 plants with no more than 3 mature plants up to 7.5 g (up to 750 mg of THC); 25 g  (up to 2,500 mg of THC) in a locked container
signed by Governor Ned Lamont on June 22, 2021 Effective: July 1, 2021 (revised penalties); May 2022 (commercial sales); July 2023 (growing plants)
Delaware HB1 & HB2 Amendments to Titles 4, 11, 16, & 30 of the Delaware Code up to 1 oz possessing or growing plants remains illegal until the state’s Marijuana Mart is opened (estimated 2024) 12 grams or less of concentrated cannabis, or cannabis products containing 750 milligrams or less of delta-9-THC
No action taken by Governor John Carney, allowing bills to become law Effective: Apr. 23, 2023 (sales are not yet legal)
D.C. Initiative 71 (65%) Marijuana Legalization and Regulation Act of 2015 (retail sales are not allowed) up to 2 oz up to 6 plants per person with no more than 3 mature plants; up to 12 plants (no more than 6 mature) for a single residence with more than one 21+ resident  Possession of hash and concentrates is illegal and punishable with 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Approved Nov. 4, 2014 by 64.87% of voters Effective: Feb. 26, 2015
Illinois HB 1438 Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act up to 1 oz (30 g) for residents and 500 milligrams of THC contained in a cannabis-infused product for state residents (15 g/250 mg non-residents) none up to 5 g (2.5 g non-residents)
Jan. 1, 2020
Maine Question 1 The Marijuana Legalization Act up to 2.5 oz up to 3 flowering plants, 12 immature plants, unlimited seedlings, and all marijuana produced from the plants up to 5 g
Approved Dec. 17, 2016 by 50.26% of voters Effective: Jan. 30, 2017 (grow and possess)
On May 2, 2018, the Maine House (109-39) and Senate (28-6) voted to override Governor Paul LePage’s veto of LD 1719 (Chapter 409 Public Law). The Department of Administration and Financial Services is required to present regulatory rules for legal sale and production of marijuana to the legislature in January 2019; marijuana retail shops are expected to open no sooner than Spring 2019. The bill lowers the recreational marijuana possession limits from 6 mature plants to 3 mature plants.
Maryland Maryland Question 4 (Marijuana Legalization Amendment) Chapter 45, Article XX – Cannabis 1.5 oz up to two cannabis plants in their homes for their own personal use 12 grams of cannabis concentrates
Approved Nov. 8, 2022 HB 837
Effective: On or after July 1, 2023
Massachusetts Question 4 Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act up to 1 oz up to 6 plants; no single residence may exceed 12 plants up to 5 g. Possession of hash is illegal though decriminalized for possession of up to 1 oz.
Approved Nov. 8, 2016 by 53.66% of voters Effective: Dec. 15, 2016
Michigan Proposal 1 Effective: Jan. 2020 2.5 oz; up to 10 ounces at home, but amounts over 2.5 ounces must be kept in locked containers up to 12 plants 15 grams of marijuana may be in the form of marijuana concentrate
Approved Nov. 6, 2018 by 56% of voters
Minnesota HF100 Session Law Chapter: 63 up to 2 oz in public; up to 2 pounds at home up to eight cannabis plants, with no more than four being mature up to 800 mg of THC in edibles; up to 8 grams of concentrate
Signed by Governor Tim Walz on May 30, 2023 Effective: Aug. 1, 2023
Missouri Amendment 3 Article XIV, Sections 1 & 2 up to 3 oz up to six flowering plants, six immature plants, and six plants under 14 inches for personal use n/a
Approved Nov. 8, 2022 Effective: by Feb. 7, 2023
Montana Initiative I-190 Effective: Jan. 1, 2021 up to 1 oz up to 4 mature plants and up to 4 seedlings up to 8 grams
Approved Nov. 3, 2020 by 56.89% of voters
CI-118: Allow for a Legal Age for Marijuana
Approved Nov. 3, 2020 by 57.82% of voters
Nevada Question 2 Nevada Revised Statutes, Chapter 453D – Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana up to 1 oz up to 6 plants; no single residence may exceed 12 plants up to 3.5 g
Approved Nov. 8, 2016 by 54.47% of voters Effective: Jan. 1, 2017
New Jersey New Jersey Marijuana Legalization Amendment Amendment to Article IV, Section VII of the New Jersey Constitution up to 1 oz n/a n/a
Approved Nov. 3, 2020 by 66.88% of voters Effective: Jan. 1, 2021
New Mexico House Bill 2 Cannabis Regulation Act up to 2 oz up to 6 plants per person with no more than 12 per household Up to 16 grams of concentrated marijuana, and 800 milligrams of edible cannabis
signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on Apr. 12, 2021 Effective: June 29, 2021; commercial sales began in Apr. 2022
New York Senate Bill S854A Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act up to 3 oz up to 12 plants with no more than 6 mature plants and 6 immature per residence  up to 24 g concentrated cannabis
Passed Senate and Assembly, and signed into law by Governor Cuomo on Mar. 31, 2021 Effective: Mar. 31, 2021
Ohio Issue 2 Chapter 3780 up to 2.5 oz up to 6 plants per individual; up to 12 plants per household collectively up to 15 g of concentrates
Approved Nov. 7, 2023 by 57% of voters Effective: Dec. 7, 2023
Oregon Measure 91 Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 475B – Cannabis Regulation: Recreational Use of Cannabis up to 1 oz in public; up to 8 oz homegrown at home up to 4 plants per residence up to 16 oz solid infused at home; up to 72 oz liquid infused at home; up to 1 oz extract at home
Approved Nov. 4, 2014 by 56.11% of voters Effective: Mar. 29, 2016
Rhode Island Rhode Island Cannabis Act Rhode Island Cannabis Act up to 1 oz in public; up to 10 oz at home up to 3 mature plants and 3 immature plants per residence up to 5 g concentrate
Signed by Governor Dan McKee on May 25, 2022 Effective: May 25, 2022
Vermont Legislative Bill H.511 An Act Related to Eliminating Penalties for Possession of Limited Amounts of Marijuana by Adults 21 Years of Age or Older up to 1 oz up to 6 plants per household (no more than 2 mature), and all marijuana produced from the plants 5 g
Approved Jan. 22, 2018 Effective: July 1, 2018
Virginia Senate Bill 1406 Effective: July 1, 2021 (possession and growing plants); commercial sales TBD up to 1 oz Up to 4 plants n/a
House Bill 2312
Governor’s amendments to law approved Apr. 7, 2021 by House and Senate *On Mar. 1, 2022, the Virginia House of Delegates subcommittee killed a bill that would have accelerated the commercial sales legalization, enforcement measures, regulation, and tax revenue of adult-use marijuana in Virginia. The bill was originally slated to be passed by 2024. Sales and purchases of adult-use marijuana remain illegal in the state until legislation is passed.
Washington Initiative 502 Revisions to the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, chapter 69.50 up to 1 oz Plants are illegal. Any amount is a felony. up to 16 oz marijuana-infused product in solid form; up to 72 oz marijuana-infused product in liquid form; up to 7 g marijuana concentrate
Approved Nov. 6, 2012 by 55.7% of voters Effective: Dec. 6, 2012

Discussion Questions

  1. Should recreational marijuana be legal? Why or why not?
  2. Should medical marijuana be legal? Why or why not?
  3. Should other recreational drugs be legal? Explain your answer.

Take Action

  1.  Explore the economic benefits of legalizing recreational marijuana at Investopedia.
  2. Consider the Cato Institute’s analysis of claims made by both sides of the recreational marijuana debate.
  3. Analyze the con position of emergency physician Dr. Gregory Shangold.
  4. Consider how you felt about the issue before reading this article. After reading the pros and cons on this topic, has your thinking changed? If so, how? List two to three ways. If your thoughts have not changed, list two to three ways your better understanding of the “other side of the issue” now helps you better argue your position.
  5. Push for the position and policies you support by writing U.S. senators and representatives.

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