LibGuides: Cannabis Law Research: State Laws

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State Cannabis Laws

State laws governing the cultivation, possession, and use of cannabis are in rapid flux. In some states, cannabis has been legalized for recreational use by adults over the age of 21. Other states only allow the medicinal use of cannabis, sometimes with limited THC content. In other states, possession or use of cannabis for any purpose is still illegal. In the box below, you can find resources that survey the cannabis laws of all 50 states. See our pages on Pennsylvania law and New Jersey law for information on cannabis laws in the Greater Philadelphia area.

Credit: Lokal_Profil, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.

50-State Surveys

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Marijuana Policy Project: State Policy
The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) is an organization advocating for the legalization of cannabis. This interactive map contains information on the legal status of cannabis in each state, with an emphasis on pending legislation.
National Cannabis Industry Association: State By State Policies
The National Cannabis Industry Association is an industry group representing cannabis businesses and professionals. This interactive map contains regulatory information for each state.
National Conference of State Legislatures: Marijuana Overview
NCSL provides resources on cannabis law for state legislators and members of the public, with an emphasis on recent legislation. Separate pages provide greater detail on state medical marijuana laws and industrial hemp laws.
NORML: State Laws
NORML, which advocates for the legalization of cannabis, provides summaries of each state's laws and penalties.

Law Databases

Lexis: Medical and Recreational Marijuana State Law Survey
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In recent years, numerous states have enacted laws that permit qualifying individuals to use recreational and/or medical marijuana. This survey addresses the basic provisions of those laws and the effect they have on private employers and their employees.
Practical Law Commercial Transactions: Marijuana State Legal Status Charts
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A chart and map summarizing the legal status of marijuana, both for medical and recreational use, by US states and including the District of Columbia. This resource also provides individual charts by state, including the District of Columbia, that cover the legal status of marijuana, including information about decriminalization where it is otherwise illegal, and for the states where marijuana is legal, the charts list the state regulatory body responsible for its regulation, a high level summary of the laws, and links to the primary laws and regulations.
Practical Law Labor & Employment: State Medical and Recreational Marijuana Laws Chart
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A Chart outlining state law on medical and recreational marijuana use. This Chart is limited to states that have relevant laws. It outlines which states have enacted relevant laws and characterizes those legal requirements, including citation to the source of law, characterization of individual rights, and discussion of any employer exemptions or obligations.

American Law Reports (A.L.R.)

American Law Reports (A.L.R.) can help you find and compare case law from different states involving cannabis law issues. Some of these articles analyze the interaction between state cannabis laws and federal laws, e.g., bankruptcy. These articles are kept up to date by the weekly addition of relevant new cases.

A.L.R. Index: Marijuana
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Fern L. Kletter, Annotation, Bankruptcy Proceedings Involving Production and Distribution of Marijuana Legal Under State Law, 19 A.L.R. Fed. 3d Art. 8 (Originally published in 2017)
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John C. Williams, Constitutionality of State Legislation Imposing Criminal Penalties for Personal Possession or Use of Marijuana, 96 A.L.R.3d 225 (Originally published in 1979)
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Jay M. Zitter, Annotation, Construction and Application of Medical Marijuana Laws and Medical Necessity Defense to Marijuana Laws, 50 A.L.R.6th 353 (Originally published in 2009)
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Kevin D. Caton, Annotation, Preemption of State Regulation of Controlled Substances by Federal Controlled Substances Act, 60 A.L.R.6th 175 (Originally published in 2010)
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Jay M. Zitter, Annotation, Propriety of Employer's Discharge of or Failure to Hire Employee Due to Employee's Use of Medical Marijuana, 57 A.L.R.6th 285 (Originally published in 2010)
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George L. Blum, Regulation and Effect upon Criminal and Civil Law of Legal Recreational Marijuana Exclusive of Bankruptcy Proceedings, 31 A.L.R.7th Art. 8 (Originally published in 2017)
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Deborah F. Buckman, Annotation, Use of Medical Marijuana as Defense to Driving Offense or Challenge to Search of Motor Vehicle and Occupants, 43 A.L.R.7th Art. 4 (Originally published in 2019)
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George L. Blum, Zoning Ordinances Addressing Medical Marijuana Businesses, 30 A.L.R.7th Art. 3 (Originally published in 2017)
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