In half of the U.S., recreational marijuana is legal, with several states over the years following suit after Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize the purchase and consumption of weed.
California first legalized marijuana for medical use in 1996, and many states followed. But it wasn’t until 2012 that Colorado and Washington legalized weed for recreational purposes.
Delaware is nearing a major shift in adult-use recreational marijuana. Here’s what you need to know.
Source link When is recreational marijuana legal in Delaware?
Beginning Aug. 1, recreational marijuana will be legal to purchase for adults 21 and older in Delaware. The state passed legislation in 2023 outlining the new industry and involved several back and forth between the state, industry leaders and county and local officials. The law allows some local governments to ban the industry outright In December 2024, Delaware awarded 125 licenses via a public lottery system to applicants eager to open retail businesses. The state received 1,269 paid license applications between Aug. 19 and Sept. 30, far exceeding its projections, the state said.Does Delaware allow medical marijuana?
Yes, Delaware allows medical marijuana. The Delaware Medical Marijuana Act took effect on July 1, 2011, allowing qualifying patients access to regulated, lab-tested cannabis. Patients are not allowed to grow their own medicine but can possess up to six ounces of marijuana. As of early 2025, there were 13 medical marijuana compassion centers that grow and dispense medical marijuana in the state. On Aug. 1, those compassion centers will be allowed to also serve adult-use consumers. The law signed in July 2024, however, came at a steep cost: Medical marijuana businesses converting into recreational dispensaries will need to pay $100,00 (for retail and manufacturing businesses) and $200,000 (for cultivation).Where is weed legal?
According to DISA Global Solutions, marijuana has been fully legalized for medical and recreational purposes in 25 states or territories:- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware – (as of Aug. 1)
- District of Columbia
- Illinois
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
Where is weed illegal?
According to DISA Globa Solutions, marijuana is fully illegal for medical and recreational use in four states with no decriminilazation:- Idaho
- Kansas
- South Carolina
- Wyoming
