Eight states and the District of Columbia have legalized the recreational use of marijuana for adults 21 years of age and older. Here’s an accounting by Newsweek of what’s happening in eight of the localities with legal weed (Maine’s voters passed a referendum, but the governor has yet to sign on):
Alaska
How much can you have with you? Up to an ounce (roughly 30 to 40 joints).
Can you smoke it publicly? No. Not in parks, on sidewalks, in businesses or on federal land.
Can you grow it? Yes. Those over 21 can possess, grow and give away up to six plants. Only three can be flowering at one time.
California
The Golden State will have recreational marijuana starting in January 2018, but the state and individual cities and counties are still working out the details. Local officials are working to regulate the licensing of dispensaries.
How much can you have on you? Up to an ounce.
Can you smoke it publicly? No.
Can you grow it? Yes, up to six plants per residence.
Colorado
On January 1, 2014, Colorado became the first state to legalize the sale of recreational marijuana.
How much can you have? Up to one ounce.
Can you smoke it publicly? No. Only on private property, but even some property owners can ban that. Hotels can ban it too—but some have capitalized on welcoming the drug.
Can you grow it? Yes, up to six plants, with three flowering at once. In January 2018, that number goes up to 12 plants.
Massachusetts
Pot will be legal here in July 2018. State officials are still working on the details. Here’s how it stands now:
How much can you have? Up to an ounce outside the home; up to 10 ounces inside the home.
Can you smoke it publicly? No.
Can you grow it? Yes.
Nevada
How much can you have? Up to one ounce.
Can you smoke it publicly? No. Only on private property, but some hotels allow it. It’s possible that marijuana resorts will open in Las Vegas at some point.
Can you grow it? Yes, but home-growing is banned within 25 miles of any dispensary.
Oregon
How much can you have with you? Eight ounces in your home and one ounce on your person.
Can you smoke it publicly? No. Not in parks, on sidewalks, in businesses or on federal land.
Can you grow it? Yes. Up to four plants on your property.
Washington, D.C.
How much can you have? One ounce.
Can you smoke it publicly? No.
Can you grow it? Yes, up to six plants in your home, with no more than three mature at a time.
Washington State
How much can you have? Purchase up to one ounce. Possess up to six ounces.
Can you grow it? No, only medical marijuana users can do that. It’s the only state with this limitation.
Can you smoke it publicly? No.
In addition, medical marijuana is legal in 29 states and the District of Columbia: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia.