Reports & Media

Current Status: Medical only History: 2012: Failed medical cannabis initiative 2016: Medical cannabis legalised May 2019: Medical cannabis sales begin Policy Framework: Patients must have one of 12 qualifying conditions and a doctor’s recommendation to legally obtain medical cannabis; State-licensed cannabis dispensary system for medical cannabis; 32 dispensaries and five cultivators; No allowance has been made for rural patients to cultivate medical cannabis in their own home; Possession of fewer than 4oz (113g) of cannabis for the first offence is a misdemeanour punishable by up to one year in prison and fines of up to $US2500; Possession of less than 4oz of cannabis for a subsequent offence is a felony punishable by up to six years in prison and fines of up to $US10,000; Possession of more than 4oz is a felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison and fines of up to $US15,000. Outcomes: Past-year cannabis use disorder in Arkansas aged 12 years and above decreased between 2005 and 2017 (from 1.6% to 1.4%). Read more

Status: Legal History: 1907: Cannabis criminalised 1996: Medical use legalised 2009: Full legalisation 2010: Decriminalisation Policy Framework: Must be 21-years-of-age or older to purchase, possess or consume cannabis; Driving under the influence of cannabis is prohibited; It is prohibited to consume cannabis in any form in public spaces; Illegal to consume cannabis in areas where smoking tobacco is prohibited; 15% excise tax on all cannabis purchasers; Possession of over an ounce of cannabis is a misdemeanour punishable by up to six months in prison and fines of up to $US500; Distribution or sale of cannabis without a license is a misdemeanour punishable by six months and a fine of $US500; Cultivation of more than six plants is a misdemeanour punishable by up to six months in prison and fines of up to $US500; From January 1, 2019, cannabis possession charges were expunged from criminal records; Cannabis suppliers must obtain a license before they are permitted to engage in cannabis-related commercial activity; Employees of any commercial cannabis business must be 21-years-of-age or older to handle cannabis goods; Cultivation tax of up to $US10 per ounce. Sources: Norml, California Cannabis Portal Outcomes: Legal market underperforms and does not meet estimates; The black market continues to flourish; The state of California raised $US317 million in tax revenue from marijuana products for the 2018/19 year; In 2018, the total market value of marijuana sales in California was worth $US2.5 billion; Regulatory compliance costs and taxes make legal cannabis too expensive to be competitive with the black market price; From 2005 to 2011, the percent of adults who reported using marijuana in the past year remained relatively unchanged (8.2% and 8.5%, respectively). Read more

Status: Medical only History: 2014: Medical cannabis legalised 2015: Medical cannabis sales begin Policy Framework: Patients must have a qualifying condition; Patients must register for the programme; Medical cannabis only available in liquid, pill or vaporised form - dried cannabis flowers and leaves are not legally obtainable even for registered patients; Dispensary system; Patients must re-enrol in the programme annually; Patients must pay an annual registration fee in order to continue obtaining cannabis legally; Patients may not possess more than a 30 day supply, as prescribed by their doctor; There are an estimated 18,000 registered medical cannabis patients in Minnesota according to the Minnesota department of health. Outcomes: Between 2005 and 2017, Cannabis use disorder in people over the age of 12 decreased from 2.0% to 1.1%; In 2018, sales of medical marijuana reached $US9.6 million. Read more

Status: Legal History: 1917: cannabis prohibited in Colorado 2000: Medical cannabis legalised (approval by a doctor, with a qualifying condition. Dispensary system with allowance for home cultivation) 2012: Recreational use legalised 2013: Sales began in September Policy Framework: Only people 21-years-of-age or older can possess, purchase or consume cannabis; Possession is limited to 1oz (28g) at a time per adult; Public use is illegal; Driving under the influence is illegal; Excise tax of 15% applies to all cannabis-containing products; Adults over 21 can give up to an ounce of cannabis to another adult but cannot sell it; Minor packaging requirements - resealable and not transparent, must have required symbol on the package; 10% sales tax applies to all cannabis-containing products on top of Colorado’s standard 2.9% sales tax; Only licensed retailers can sell cannabis; Possession of more than 1oz of cannabis is a petty offense (like a speeding ticket) punishable by a fine of up to $US100; Possession of more than 2oz (56g) of cannabis is a misdemeanour punishable by up to 18 months in prison and fines of up to $US5000; Possession of more than 12oz (340g) of cannabis is a felony punishable by up to two years in prison and fines of up to $US100,000; Unlicensed distribution with remuneration or more than 1oz is a misdemeanour punishable by up to 18 months in prison and fines of up to $US5000; Unlicensed distribution of more than 6oz (170g) is a felony punishable by up to 32 years in prison and fines of up to $US1,000,000; Cultivation of more than six plants is a felony punishable by up to six years in prison and fines of up to $US500,000; Sources: Norml, Colorado Department of Health and the Environment Outcomes: Youth marijuana use increased by 20% between 2013 and 2014, while usage among adults increased by 17% during the same period; According to the Department of Revenue, the Colorado marijuana tax brought in about $US302 million in 2019; Total cannabis sales across the state rose from $US699.2 million in 2014 to $US1.51 billion in 2017; Data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis shows Colorado's GDP increased by roughly $US41 billion since legalisation; Visits to emergency room related to cannabis increase; Car crash rate increase, but no increase in fatalities; $US1.55 billion in sales, 98% of which were purchased for recreational use; Rate of 12-17-year-olds using cannabis is the lowest it has been since 2008; The number of drivers involved in fatal crashes who were tested above the level of impairment limit decreased from 52 to 35; Organised crime rates have tripled in five years; Between 2005 and 2017, cannabis use disorder in people over the age of 12 increased from 1.7% to 2.3%. Read more

Status: Medical use only History: 2011: Medical cannabis legalised 2015: Legal sales of medical cannabis begin 2015: Small amounts decriminalised (2020): Bill to legalise recreational cannabis to be voted on this year Policy Framework: Patients must obtain a state-issued card which costs $US125 and must be renewed annually, and must have a qualifying medical condition; The state has only one medical cannabis facility; Patients cannot cultivate their own cannabis; Patients cannot possess more than 6oz (170g) at a time; Illegal possession of under 1oz (28g) of cannabis was decriminalised to an infraction in 2015 (no criminal record or prison time - fine only); There are an estimated 6060 registered medical cannabis patients in Delaware, according to Delaware Health and Social Services; Possession of up to 6oz (175g) is a misdemeanour punishable by three months in prison and fines of up to $US575; Possession of more 6oz is a felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Fines are subject to the discretion of the court; Cultivation or sale is a felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Read more

Status: Prohibited History: 2014: Legalisation of CBD (cannabidiol) oil - children with severe epilepsy can be treated with CBD oil if recommended by a doctor Policy Framework: Possession of less than 1oz (30g) of cannabis for a first-time offender is a misdemeanour punishable by 30 days in prison and a fine of $US200; Possession of less than 1oz of cannabis for a subsequent offence is a misdemeanour punishable by a year in prison and a fine of up to $US2000; Sale or trafficking is a felony punishable by sometimes more than 25 years in prison and fines of up to $US200,000; Cultivation of cannabis is a felony punishable by more than 25 years in prison and fines of up to $US200,000. Outcomes: Between 2005 and 2017, cannabis use disorder in people over the age of 12 decreased from 1.7% to 1.4%. Read more

Status: Medical only History: 2014: Criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of cannabis were reduced, although remained criminal 2014: CBD (Cannabidiol) oil legalised 2018: Medical cannabis legalised Policy Framework: Patients with qualifying conditions (certified by a physician) can obtain cannabis legally; Limit of six plants per household; 192 medical cannabis dispensaries state-wide; Patients must be at least 18-years-old in order to obtain medical cannabis from a doctor; Medical cannabis cannot be obtained from pharmacies and are only sold at licensed dispensaries; Patients must register to the Missouri medical cannabis program to obtain a medical cannabis card which they must use to purchase medical cannabis; Possession of up to 10g (0.3oz) of cannabis is a misdemeanour punishable by a $US500 fine for the first offence and a year and a fine of up to $US2000 for subsequent offences; Possession of more than 35g (1.2oz) is a felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to $US10,000; Sale or trafficking is a felony punishable by up to life in prison and fines of up to $US10,000 or 2x profit; There are an estimated 30,200 registered medical cannabis patients in Missouri, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Outcomes: Between 2005 and 2017, cannabis use disorder in people over the age of 12 decreased from 1.8% to 1.2%. Read more

Status: Prohibited History: 2014: Legalisation of CBD (cannabidiol) Policy Framework: Possession of under 30g (1oz) for the first offence is decriminalised to a $US250 fine; Possession of 30g or less (following offences) is a misdemeanour punishable by up to six months in prison and a fine of up to $US1000; Possession of more than 30g is a felony punishable by up to up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $US1,000,000; Sale of any amount is a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $US20,000. Outcomes: Between 2005 and 2017, cannabis use disorder in people over the age of 12 decreased from 1.4% to 1.3%. Read more

Status: Legal History: 1976: Possession of small amounts of cannabis was decriminalised 1999: Medical cannabis legalised 2009: Possession of less than 2.4oz (68g) of cannabis was decriminalised to a civil infraction (fine only, no criminal record) 2013 - 2014: Municipal legalisation began 2016: State legalises cannabis (sales did not begin until early 2020) Policy Framework: Patients must have a qualifying condition to obtain medical cannabis from a licensed dispensary; Patients are permitted to cultivate cannabis in their homes and possess no more than six cannabis plants; Patients may possess no more than 2.5oz (70g) of cannabis or its equivalent; The legalisation of recreational cannabis law imposes a 10% excise tax on all commercial cannabis-containing products. Legal sales began in March 2020; Possession of any more than 2.5oz is a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $US10,000; Distribution of any amount of cannabis without a license is a crime punishable by up to 30 years in prison and fines of up to $US50,000. Read more

Status: Medical Only History: 2011 - Possession of small amounts of cannabis decriminalised 2012 - Medical cannabis legalised Policy Framework Possession of small amounts of recreational cannabis was decriminalised in 2011 to a $US150 fine for a first offence; Patients must have a qualifying condition in order to obtain medical cannabis; Patients may possess a month’s supply of medical cannabis, as prescribed by a doctor; Patients may not cultivate their own medical cannabis; Medical cannabis can only be obtained from a licensed dispensary; Estimated number of registered medical cannabis patients is 37,117, according to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection; Possession of less than ½ an ounce (14g) of cannabis is an infringement punishable by a fine of up to $US500; Possession of more than ½ an ounce of cannabis is a misdemeanour punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $US2000; Distribution or cultivation of cannabis is a felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison and fines of up to $US100,000. Source: Norml Outcomes: Since 2011, cannabis arrests have decreased significantly; Decriminalisation had no major effect on consumption rates; In 2018, sales of medical marijuana reached $US50 million; Between 2005 and 2017, cannabis use disorder in people over 12-years-old decreased from 2.1% to 2.0%. Read more

Status: Medical only History: 2014: Failed amendment to legalise medical cannabis; 2016: Constitutional amendment legalising medical cannabis; 2017: Legal medical cannabis implementation bill. Policy Framework: Patients must have a qualifying condition to obtain medical cannabis legally; Patients can only obtain medical cannabis with a doctor’s recommendation; Patients must register with the medical cannabis programme; Patients cannot cultivate their own cannabis; Medical cannabis can only be obtained from a state-licensed dispensary; There are an estimated 323,506 registered medical cannabis patients according to the Florida Office of Medical Marijuana Use; Possession of fewer than 20g (0.7oz) of cannabis is a misdemeanour punishable by up to one year in prison and fines of up to $US1000; Possession of more than 20g of cannabis is a felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison and fines of up to $US200,000; Gifting less than 20g of cannabis is a misdemeanour punishable by up to a year in prison and fines of up to $US1000; Sale of cannabis is a felony punishable up to 30 years in prison and fines of up to $US200,000. Read more