The status of legalization in america

Illustration by Solange Quarshie

Is Cannabis legal in your state? With any luck, you get to answer emphatically, "YES!"

And if luck is not on your side, you can always just get into a car and drive to one of these fine locations that have some form of legalization beyond medicinal.
​
1. Washington: the Pacific Northwest is certainly high on Jimi's list of where to visit. Not only is medical marijuana legal, but recreational users can partake as well. They have become so successful business-wise that their recreational weed has earned $1 billion since 2012. 

2. Oregon: home to Portland and possibly other cities as well, Oregon counted an amazing $85 million in marijuana-related tax revenue in 2017, which it turned into funds for schools, public health, and other government functions. Jimi highly recommends this state for all bud-enthusiasts. 

3. California: some might argue this state is actually five different states smashed together. With their largeness and astute  constituency, California has been leading the country in legalization efforts, first legalizing medical marijuana in 1996.

4. Alaska: Jimi has fought several grizzly bears in Alaska and has needed to smoke up afterwards, (by "fight" we mean "throw salmon at and run quickly in the opposite direction"). Luckily, the most northern of states legalized weed in 2015, and has since seen tourism flourish, where an estimated 2 million people visit each year.

4. Colorado: for the Rockiest of Mountain Highs, visit snowy Colorado! Jimi once saved a group of starving hikers from eating each other by giving them cookies instead. We hear the marijuana there is tastier than human flesh, enjoy!

5. Nevada: with Las Vegas in the middle of amazing natural wonders, Nevada is a host to all kinds of experiences. We assume that their weed selection is no different! 

6. Maine: also known as "Olde Massachusetts" Maine rivals Alaska as "Northern most state" but falls slightly south. You can possess as much as 2.5 ounces of this plant that grows in the ground, yet still the Governor hates plants and vetoed a bill  that would legalize the sale of marijuana and help the state collect tax revenue. Enjoy your accounting books being in the red, Maine!

7. Vermont: also known as "that state where Bernie Sanders comes from", Vermont rivals Maine as being "part of New England". I understand that it also snows there. This state was the first to legalize via legislation rather than a ballot initiative, showing just how slow state legislators can be at interpreting the will of their people. Incidentally, Bernie Sanders has co-sponsored Cory Booker's "Marijuana Justice Act" and we all hope it will pass in 2018!

8. Massachusetts: a state that 9 out of 10 Americans agree contains the city of Boston, up to 12 plants can be grown by a person, though legal and taxed marijuana legislation has slowed recently.

9. Washington, D.C.: literally our nations Capitol! That's right folks, if you ever get bummed about the lack of freedoms in our blessed Land of the Free, just go to our great nation's Capitol and buy yourself a sticker, the pot is a gift! A breath of fresh air accompanies the natural feeling of freedom as you stroll past Congress, the White House, and even the Supreme Court.

We hope you enjoy your legal pot experiences! Tell us about them in the comments below, and check out this Business Insider article for more info: Click Here!

---