Other States
A HISTORY OF MARIJUANA LAWS
1972
A commission led by former Pennsylvania governor Raymond Shafer recommends to President Richard Nixon that marijuana be decriminalized.
1973
Oregon decriminalizes possession of less than one ounce of marijuana.
1975
Colorado decrminalizes possession of one ounce or less of marijuana.
Ohio decriminalizes possession of 100 grams or less of marijuana.
1976
California decriminalizes possession of
28.5 grams or less of marijuana.
Maine decriminalizes possession of 1.25 ounces or less of marijuana.
Minnesota decriminalizes possession of 42.5 grams or less of marijuana.
1977
Mississippi decriminalizes possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana.
New York decriminalizes possession of 25 grams or less of marijuana.
North Carolina decriminalizes possession of half an ounce or less of marijuana.
1978
Nebraska decriminalizes possession of one ounce or less of marijuana.
1981
Ronald Reagan becomes president. His administration would take a tough stand against drugs, discouraging states from softening their marijuana policies.
1996
California legalizes medical marijuana.
1998
Oregon legalizes medical marijuana.
Washington legalizes medical marijuana.
1999
Alaska legalizes medical marijuana.
Maine legalizes medical marijuana.
2000
Hawaii legalizes medical marijuana.
2001
Colorado legalizes medical marijuana.
Nevada legalizes medical marijuana and decriminalizes possession of one ounce or less of marijuana.
2003
Maryland establishes a defendant’s medical condition as an affirmative defense in marijuana prosecutions.
2004
Montana legalizes medical marijuana.
Vermont legalizes medical marijuana.
2005
The U.S. Supreme Court found that the federal government could take steps prohibiting cultivation and distribution of marijuana despite state laws allowing medical marijuana in Gonzales v. Raich. The ruling reinforced the federal government’s supremacy over states in this area.
2006
Rhode Island legalizes medical marijuna.
2007
New Mexico legalizes medical marijuana.
2008
Massachusetts decriminalizes possession of one ounce or less of marijuana.
Michigan legalizes medical marijuana.
2009
The U.S. Department of Justice signals it will not aggressively prosecute suppliers or users of marijuana if they are complying with state medical marijuana laws.
Passed but not implemented
Washington, D.C., has passes a law legalizing medical marijuana.
New Jersey has passes a law legalizing medical marijuana.
Source:The National Conference of State Legislatures, the Marijuana Policy Project and the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
