A new federal report has confirmed what we at the Marijuana Policy Project have been saying for years: legalizing and regulating cannabis does not lead to an increase in youth use. In fact, it often does the opposite.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), youth cannabis use has remained stable — and in many cases declined — even as more states have legalized marijuana for adults. Between 2021 and 2024:

• Past-year marijuana use among 18–25-year-olds dropped from 19.2% to 16.7%.
• Multiple states that legalized during this period, such as Connecticut, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, and New York, saw no spike in underage use.

Other research backs this up:

Teen cannabis use in Colorado has fallen by 42% since legalization in 2012, according to the state’s Department of Public Health, and a broader national review found that 19 legalization states saw youth marijuana use decrease — often by double digits.

By replacing the underground market with a regulated system that checks IDs and enforces age requirements, we can keep cannabis out of the hands of minors far more effectively than prohibition ever could.

But with 26 states and the federal government maintaining the broken approach of prohibition and criminalization, our fight is far from over. Many states still cling to outdated prohibition laws that waste resources, criminalize responsible adults, and leave the market unregulated — making it easier, not harder, for teens to get cannabis. 

The facts are on our side, and now is the time to push harder than ever for full legalization across the country. Every new legalization victory means more safety, more justice, and more freedom.

The United States is witnessing a patchwork of cannabis policies. While a majority of states have embraced some form of legalization, whether for adult-use or medical programs, a few states still cling to outdated prohibition laws. This stark divide highlights the fragmented nature of cannabis regulation across the nation, where a substance that's legal in one state can lead to severe penalties in another state.

Northeast 

The Northeast has become more progressive on cannabis policy reform. The successful 2016 legalization effort in Massachusetts led to Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, and Rhode Island passing adult-use cannabis laws. The only holdout is New Hampshire, which remains an island of prohibition, despite repeated efforts to pass adult-use legislation. 

Mid-Atlantic 

The Mid-Atlantic region has undergone a rapid transformation regarding cannabis legalization in recent years. New Jersey legalized adult-use cannabis in 2020 through a ballot measure, while New York passed a law to legalize cannabis for adult use in 2021. Maryland voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure legalizing cannabis for those 21 and older in 2022, and Delaware joined the ranks of legal states in April 2023. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania, an outlier on cannabis policy reform in the region, is one of only 19 states where adults can be incarcerated simply for possessing cannabis. 

Midwest 

The Midwest presents a diverse landscape regarding cannabis reform. In 2018, Michigan became the first state in the Midwest to legalize cannabis for adults 21 and older. Illinois followed suit in 2019, becoming the first state in the country to legalize adult-use cannabis through a state legislature. In 2022, Missouri voters passed a constitutional ballot measure to legalize and regulate cannabis for adults, and in 2023, both Ohio and Minnesota joined the list of adult-use legalization states in the Midwest. While efforts to legalize adult-use cannabis through ballot initiatives have fallen short in South Dakota and North Dakota, voters in both states approved medical cannabis, and Nebraska voters overwhelmingly approved two companion medical cannabis initiatives in 2024. Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, and Kansas still remain stubbornly behind the times and are some of the few states left with no effective medical cannabis law and that still imposes jail time for simple possession of cannabis.

Pacific Coastal 

The Pacific Coastal region has been at the forefront of cannabis policy reform in the United States. Oregon was the first state to decriminalize possession of small amounts of cannabis in 1973, and in 1996, California became the first state to legalize medical cannabis. Washington joined the national conversation in 2012, being one of the first two states to legalize adult-use cannabis. Further, Alaska became the third state (tied with Oregon) to legalize cannabis for adults’ use in 2014. While Hawai’i remains the only state in the Pacific Coastal region to lack an adult-use cannabis legalization law, in 2000, the state became the first state in the nation to pass a medical cannabis law through the legislature rather than the citizen initiative process. 

Rocky Mountains 

The Rocky Mountains region is another mixed bag on cannabis policy reform. In 2012, Colorado voters ushered in a new era, making their state the first in the nation (tied with Washington state) to legalize cannabis. In Nevada, voters legalized cannabis for adult use in 2016, and Montana followed suit in 2020. Meanwhile, Utah voters approved a medical cannabis ballot initiative in 2018. However, the other two states in the region, Idaho and Wyoming, are still holding the line on prohibition and continue to impose jail time for simple cannabis possession.

Southwest 

Arizona and New Mexico have embraced legalization, joining the growing number of adult-use cannabis states across the country. Oklahoma voters approved medical cannabis in 2018, but then defeated a ballot initiative that would have legalized the adult use of cannabis in 2023. Most recently, Texas became the 40th medical cannabis state after Gov. Greg Abbott signed a medical cannabis expansion bill into law earlier this year.

Southeast

Southeastern states have been more hesitant to embrace cannabis reform, but there has been some steady, incremental progress to roll back prohibition across the region. Virginia became the first state in the South to legalize cannabis for adults, and cannabis is also legal in Washington, D.C., although sales are not yet legal in either jurisdiction. Arkansas and Florida voters approved medical marijuana initiatives in 2016. Then, in 2021, Alabama became the 36th state to pass medical cannabis legislation. In 2023, Kentucky legalized medical cannabis and Mississippi implemented a comprehensive medical cannabis program. West Virginia has also legalized medical cannabis, although it remains one of the 19 states that have yet to even decriminalize cannabis possession. Louisiana has also made steady progress by passing and expanding medical cannabis laws and stopping incarceration for possessing up to 14 grams of cannabis. Meanwhile, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee lack a viable medical cannabis program and continue to imprison individuals for possessing small amounts of cannabis. And while North Carolina has removed jail time as a penalty for possession of small amounts of cannabis, the state still lacks a medical cannabis program.

Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action (ORCA) has launched their signature drive to put Question 837, which would legalize cannabis for adults, on the ballot. If approved, legal cannabis access for adults 21 and older would be enshrined in the Oklahoma Constitution. The proposed language can be found here.

The first period for legal challenges has passed without issue. Beginning August 6, the campaign will have 90 days to collect 172,993 valid signatures. The campaign’s goal is to submit 300,000 signatures to make sure there is a buffer. Then, the Secretary of State will have 45 days to verify those signatures. 

Learn more about ORCA's campaign here!

Question 837 includes home cultivation of up to 12 plants. It would not negatively impact Oklahoma’s robust medical program. Among other items addressed by the initiative, the current 7% excise tax on medical cannabis would be abolished, in favor of a 10% excise tax on adult-use sales. State and local sales tax would still apply. Veterans would be able to receive their patient licenses without charge. 

If Question 837 qualifies, the governor could put the measure on the ballot during the June primary, the November 2026 general election, or he could call a special election.

Together, we have the opportunity to enshrine access to cannabis into Oklahoma’s state constitution. That will limit the ability of the legislature to “chip away” at the medical program and will legalize adult-use cannabis in perpetuity. Now is the time for all Sooners to come together and end prohibition once and for all!

“There’s a special place in hell for those seeking to profit from the plant, while fighting against people’s right to grow it.”

– Adam J. Smith, MPP’s Executive Director

Is cannabis truly legal if you're not allowed to grow it yourself? 

MPP’s new executive director, Adam J. Smith, sat down with High Times to make the case for recentering home cultivation in the fight for cannabis legalization.

Citing MPP’s resources on the current status of home grow policies across the United States, the article notes that 25 states have legalized home cultivation in some form, but 15 of the 24 states with adult-use cannabis laws continue to ban home cultivation.

Adam was quick to point out the simple truth that “If you haven’t legalized home cultivation, you have not ended prohibition. You have simply created a corporate exemption.”

The emergence of the legal cannabis industry belies the fact that people are still being arrested, still forbidden to grow the plant, and still suffering the consequences of decades of failed prohibitionist policies. 

For 30 years, MPP has been a trailblazing voice advocating for home grow provisions in legalization laws — and under Adam’s leadership, we will continue fighting for a legal cannabis reality where everyone has the right to grow their own. 

The Texas Senate passed Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s latest hemp-derived THC ban — SB 5 — in a 21-8 third reading vote, sending it to the House of Representatives. Sponsored by Sen. Charles Perry (R), the new bill is almost the same as SB 3, which Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed.

SB 5’s House companion bill, HB 5, could be scheduled for a committee hearing this week, most likely with very little notice. 

If you live in Texas, use this link to tell your state rep. that regulation is a better approach than prohibition!

Please also thank Gov. Abbott for vetoing SB 3 and calling for regulation. If you benefit from hemp-derived cannabinoids, share your story.

Meanwhile, many Democratic House members have left the state to deny the House the needed quorum to conduct official business. In 2021, a similar tactic kept the House from conducting business for 31 days. This is being done in response to another piece of legislation, not the regulation of hemp-derived products.

The special session has under two weeks left in its mandated time frame. If the session expires without further work, another special session could be called.

Banning hemp-derived products will disrupt a multi-billion-dollar business that employs over 50,000 Texans. A ban will move a vast majority of consumers to the illicit market. SB 5 and HB 5 are a bad policy that will negatively impact tens of thousands of Texans who find affordable relief from hemp-derived products. 

MPP is closely monitoring developments on Capitol Hill, and as Congress nears the August recess, it’s clear that there are multiple threats to cannabis progress in this year’s legislative session. 

While a new Pew poll has found that 9 in 10 Americans support cannabis reform across party lines — with a 54% majority in support of full legalization of adult-use cannabis — many in Washington remain unresponsive to the will of the people.  

In June, the White House issued a budget request that called for removing a long-standing provision that protects state medical cannabis programs and patients. 

The current version of the House appropriations bill includes the "Rohrbacher-Farr” budget rider prohibiting the Justice Department from using taxpayer dollars to prosecute patients, caregivers, and providers. If the Rohrbacher-Farr protection were to be removed during the budget negotiations process, it would jeopardize crucial federal protections for state medical cannabis programs. 

The threats don’t stop there. An effort to cancel hearings on cannabis rescheduling was added into the House version of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Regulated Agencies (CJS) budget bill. In both chambers of Congress, lawmakers have attempted to add an appropriations rider to re-criminalize hemp by instituting immensely restrictive THC caps on hemp-derived products. 

In better news, Rep. Brian Mast's Veterans for Equal Access bill was added to the House MilCon-VA Appropriations bill and in the Senate Appropriations Committee. If the bill passes, VA doctors will be permitted to recommend medical cannabis to veterans. This would also be a major step forward for further dismantling the cannabis stigma, and could help build momentum towards federal legalization.

As cannabis policies move through the halls of the Capitol, stay tuned for more updates and action alerts so that you can make your voice heard and demand that lawmakers deliver the change voters are calling for. 

The Texas Legislature reconvened for a special session, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s latest hemp-derived THC ban — SB 5 — passed out of a Senate committee unanimously. Sponsored by Sen. Charles Perry (R), the new bill is almost the same as SB 3 from the regular session. 

Gov. Greg Abbott (R) vetoed SB 3 and called for these products to be tightly regulated, not banned. However, he appears to be wavering.

If you live in Texas, you can use this link to tell your legislators that regulation is a better approach than prohibition!

SB 5 differs from SB 3, the regular session ban bill, in a few ways. The main difference is that possession of prohibited hemp products would be treated in a similar fashion to possession of botanical cannabis — a Class B misdemeanor, which carries the threat of up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000. SB 3 had even harsher penalties. In addition, FDA-approved products such as hemp seed oil would be permitted.

On Tuesday, July 22, the State Affairs committee heard hours of testimony on SB 5 and then voted 10-0 to advance the bill to the Senate floor. The roughly 15 “invited” speakers who supported the ban were not limited to a two-minute rule for testimony, which was strictly enforced against veterans and others who opposed the ban. 

It was disconcerting to hear law enforcement state repeatedly that SB 5 will make arrests much easier. Since hemp flower has been available in Texas, possession arrests dropped by almost 75%. Texas still leads the nation in cannabis arrests, despite the declining number of arrests over the past few years. It appears that many elected officials in the Lone Star State are doing everything in their power to increase the arrests for possession to pre-2021 levels. 

We know prohibition does not work. Banning these products will disrupt a multi-billion dollar business that employs over 50,000 Texans. A ban will simply move a vast majority of consumers to the illicit market. A large segment of hemp products sold in Texas is hemp flower, which will still be banned throughout Texas, including in the Texas Compassionate Use Program. SB 5 is a bad policy that will negatively impact tens of thousands of Texans annually. 

Adult-use cannabis sales in Delaware will begin on August 1, 2025! Adults 21 and older will be allowed to purchase up to one ounce of cannabis. 

You can check out where adults will be allowed to buy cannabis here on the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner's website. The 13 locations listed are existing compassion centers. New businesses have been licensed but it will take some time for them to get up and running. 

It has been a long road to get to this point. 

After years of effort, legalization made it to then-Governor John Carney’s desk in Spring of 2022. Carney vetoed the bill, and an override fell short. After more supportive lawmakers were elected in 2022, legalization again made it to his desk — this time with a solidly veto-proof majority. On April 21, 2023, then-Governor John Carney (D) allowed adult-use legalization to become law without his signature, despite his opposition. 

Delaware’s cannabis market initially took steps ahead of schedule. In 2024, the legislature and governor approved legislation to allow existing compassion centers to convert to dual-use. The state accepted applications for new businesses early, starting August 19, 2024. However, the momentum came to a halt when an issue arose with FBI fingerprint-based background checks for cannabis workers, slowing the start date. On April 24, 2025, Governor Matt Meyer (D) signed HB 110 into law to address the issue. 

We are grateful to Representative Ed Oskinski (D) and Senator Trey Pardee (D) for championing legalization in Delaware, and before them, former Sen. Margaret Rose Henry and Rep. Helene Keeley.

MPP is a part of the Delaware Cannabis Policy Coalition, which led the charge to end prohibition in Delaware for years. From organizing lobby days, rallies, and town halls, testifying in key committees, retaining contract lobbyists, conducting media outreach, voter guides, and so much more, we’re proud to have worked alongside incredible volunteer advocates to play a leading role in reaching this historic moment.

Thanks to everyone who raised their voices to advance legalization in Delaware!

A bipartisan group of state senators introduced a bill to legalize cannabis for adults in the Commonwealth. Meanwhile, the state’s budget is overdue and residents are facing devastating cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and SEPTA service. While cannabis legalization can’t fix all of Pennsylvania’s budget problems, it would generate over $300 million per year — which is enough to insure around 40,000 people.

If you live in Pennsylvania, make your voice heard! Let your state legislators know voters are fed up with the wasteful war on cannabis. Nearly 20% of Pennsylvanians admit to having used cannabis in the past year. The Commonwealth needs to wake up to reality and stop sending cannabis taxes across its borders. 
 
All but one of Pennsylvania’s neighboring states have legalized adult-use cannabis. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania doesn’t even have statewide decriminalization. Police made over 11,000 arrests for simple possession of cannabis in 2023 alone!

The House already passed a legalization bill this year (HB 1200) and Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) included legalization in his budget proposal. While HB 1200 would have created a state-run monopoly on cannabis stores that would likely prove unworkable due to federal law, Sen. Dan Laughlin’s SB 120 sensibly relies on privately-owned stores, like every existing medical cannabis and legalization law. It also has provisions for expungement and release of cannabis prisoners. 

For years, the Nebraska Legislature and governors have failed to heed the pleas of patients and families. Last November, voters were finally able to take matters into their own hands. They overwhelmingly chose compassion, with 71% approving the broad Nebraska Medical Cannabis Patient Protection Act. Now, the commission that is charged with implementing the companion Nebraska Medical Cannabis Regulation Act is trying to kneecap the program. 
  
Just before the July 1 deadline, Gov. Jim Pillen signed outrageous medical cannabis emergency regulations that:

• ban the vast majority of medical cannabis products, including raw plant material, any product for smoking and vaping, products with artificial or natural flavoring, and “a food or drink that has cannabis baked, mixed, or otherwise infused into it.”
  • it allows pills, suppositories, tinctures, “non-sugar coated gelatinous cubes, gelatinous rectangular cuboids, or lozenges in a cube or rectangular cuboid shape” (apparently with no flavor), topicals, liquids or oils for administration using a nebulizer or inhaler.
• only allow cannabis to be dispensed if the recommendation includes specific instructions for cannabis use, which puts doctors at risk under federal law. Physicians must specify the product, dosage, and potency they recommend, and directions for use, which would be aiding and abetting a federal crime according to a federal court decision. (Simply recommending cannabis is First Amendment-protected speech, the court found.)  
• allow only 12 dispensaries in Nebraska, one per District Court Judicial District.
• ban medical cannabis businesses within 1,000 feet of numerous locations, relegating dispensaries to hard-to-get areas that might have very little foot traffic.
• ban vertical integration. A business can only do one of the following: grow cannabis, manufacture products, transport products, or sell to consumers. This will drive up costs for patients.  
• impose onerous recordkeeping requirements on licensees. For example, it requires dispensaries to keep receipts and invoices with 12 different pieces of information, including patients’ names and addresses, for seven years.
• require cultivators to obtain seeds and genetics from a Nebraska-licensed cultivator or a cultivator in another U.S. state, even though seeds are hemp and can be legally sold nationwide.
• include no deadline for issuing licenses, which could result in prolonged delays in access.

There is still time to get the commission to reverse course! As emergency regulations, these expire on September 28. Permanent rules will be issued after public comment and a hearing.
 
If you live in Nebraska, make your voice heard by July 15 by emailing [email protected]. Tell the commission to revise its rules, including to allow botanical cannabis, edibles, vaped products, and other beneficial products. 

In other states, the outcry of voters and patients has prevented lawmakers and regulators from gutting the voter-enacted cannabis initiatives. Let the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission know voters have spoken. And don’t forget to spread the word!