Last updated: May 15, 2025
Because less than half of U.S. states allow citizen-initiated ballot measures, in most states, the only way to reform cannabis laws is via the state’s legislature. Polls show over two-thirds of Americans support making cannabis use legal and around 90% support allowing medical cannabis, but lawmakers lag behind the public.
Only 24 states have legalized cannabis for adults, leaving 26 states where adults are still being cited or arrested for relaxing with cannabis. Eleven states are even further behind the times — lacking even a medical cannabis law. And 19 states continue to jail their residents for even simple possession of cannabis.
Some states’ 2025 legislative sessions are in full swing, while others have already adjourned. See below for pending bills to legalize cannabis for adults, to decriminalize cannabis (i.e., issuing a fine-only ticket for simple possession), and to legalize medical cannabis. This year, we’ve also seen a troubling trend where lawmakers in several states are seeking to roll back cannabis liberty laws. Several of the most threatening rollbacks are also included below. You can find additional cannabis policy bills — including to expand or restrict existing decriminalization, medical cannabis, and legalization laws — at the bottom of each of our state webpages, courtesy of BillTrack50.
States with proposed bills to legalize cannabis for adults: 14
Twenty-four states, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have already passed laws to legalize cannabis for adults. One of the 24 states — Virginia — only has legal possession and home cultivation, with no legal sales, as does Washington, D.C. In Virginia, lawmakers passed legislation, SB970 and HB2485, to create the framework to permit adult-use sales, but they were vetoed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R). In Washington D.C., B26-0051 would legalize and regulate the sales and distribution of cannabis for adults. Thus far, however, Congressional intervention has prevented regulated adult-use sales in the District.
States with decriminalization bills: 8
Alabama — DEAD — SB50 would have created a fine-only offense for possession of under one ounce of cannabis with a fine not to exceed $200. For possession over one ounce, fines would have begun at $250 for a first offense and risen for subsequent offenses. The legislation would have set up the process for expungement for previous violations.
Iowa — DEAD — HF72 would have decriminalized possession of 10 grams or less of cannabis. HF78 would have decriminalized possession of up to one-half ounce (14 grams). Although these bills would have removed jail time for possession, they carried an exorbitant $500 misdemeanor fine.
Kansas — DEAD for the year — SB295 would create a civil infraction of $25 for possession of under one ounce, five grams of concentrate or 1000 milligrams of edibles. It carries over to 2026 and can be taken up next year.
Pennsylvania — SB 75 and HB 578 would reduce the penalty for possession of up to 30 grams of marijuana or eight grams of hashish to a summary offense carrying a fine of up to $25. They impose a fine of up to $100 for smoking cannabis in public. SB 75 was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, while HB 578 is in the House Judiciary Committee.
South Carolina — DEAD for the year — H3110 would create a civil infraction for possession of 28 grams of cannabis flower or 10 grams of hashish. It carries over to 2026 and can be taken up next year.
Texas — HB3242 would make possession of up to an ounce of cannabis flower a non-custodial arrestable Class C misdemeanor with no possible jail time and a fine not to exceed $500. It would also set up the mechanism for expungement with a cost of $30.
West Virginia — DEAD— SB 219 would have established that possession of less than 15 grams of marijuana is subject to a fine of no more than $25 rather than being a criminal offense. It did not advance before the crossover deadline.
Wyoming — DEAD — HB 191 would have replaced criminal penalties and possible fines for simple possession of cannabis. The penalty would have been a maximum $100 fine for up to three ounces of cannabis, or equivalent amounts of cannabis products.
Thirty-one states and Washington, D.C. have decriminalized or legalized cannabis possession. Check out MPP’s report on the 19 states that have not even stopped jailing cannabis consumers.
States with bills to create comprehensive medical cannabis programs: 9
Thirty-nine states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have effective medical cannabis laws. In addition, three states have more restrictive laws that allow in-state distribution of federally illegal cannabis-based products with lower amounts of THC: Iowa, Georgia, and Texas.
This is a partial list of bills to roll back progress:
If you live in a state that still prohibits cannabis and no lawmakers have taken the lead to change that, send your state legislators a note to ask them to stand up for humane and sensible cannabis policies. Take a few moments to email them in support of medical cannabis, decriminalization, or legalizing and regulating cannabis.
MPP has webpages for each individual state, which you can access here. They include a snapshot of cannabis policies in the state, along with additional bills, courtesy of Bill Track 50, to change cannabis laws. These include proposals to improve (or undermine) existing legalization, medical cannabis, and decriminalization laws.