United States

Subnational commercial adult-use markets since Washington I-502 (2012); California Prop 215 (1996) opened medical; federally still Schedule I with rescheduling procedure pending.

Last updated:

Active market models

  • Licensed commercial retail: Full commercial adult-use market with licensed producers and retailers.
  • Medical only: Regulated medical prescription route; no adult-use retail or possession relief.
  • No legal market: Cannabis remains fully prohibited outside narrow research or medical exceptions.

Developments

  1. — California Proposition 215 — Compassionate Use Act

    First state-level medical cannabis initiative, added to Health & Safety Code § 11362.5.

    Sources: California Secretary of State

  2. — Washington Initiative 502 effective

    First state-level regulated adult-use cannabis market becomes effective in Washington.

    Sources: Washington Secretary of State

  3. — Federal rescheduling procedure under way

    DOJ/DEA formal rescheduling procedure ongoing; federally cannabis remains in Schedule I in this reporting round.

    Sources: Washington Secretary of State

Official sources

All jurisdictions · Recent legal and policy developments · Source library