As of 2026, 24 states plus Washington, D.C., Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands have legalized recreational cannabis. 38 states have some form of medical cannabis program. But the details — possession limits, qualifying conditions, where you can buy, and what happens if you break the rules — vary enormously from state to state.

Cannabis remains a Schedule I substance under federal law. State legalization does not change federal prohibition. This matters for interstate transport, federal employment, federal housing, and activities on federal land.

Recreational & Medical States 27

Medical Only States 16

Limited / Low-THC Programs 3

No Legal Cannabis Program 10

U.S. Territories

Federal Law Still Applies

Regardless of your state's laws, cannabis remains illegal under federal law. This means:

• Interstate transport is illegal — you cannot carry cannabis across state lines, even between two legal states
• Federal land is off-limits — national parks, forests, military bases, federal buildings, and airports are governed by federal law
• Federal employment — federal employees and contractors may be subject to drug testing regardless of state law
• Banking — most cannabis businesses operate as cash-only due to federal banking restrictions
• Air travel — TSA operates under federal law; cannabis is prohibited on all flights

For more on how federal and state laws interact, see our Understanding Your State's Cannabis Laws guide and Legal Landscape & Social Impact analysis.