Medical Marijuana State Comparison – Attorney Bruce Alan Block
The 16 Medical Marijuana States – How the States Compare.
The Medical Marijuana laws in the medical marihuana states are in a constant ebb and flow. You should consult an attorney or your state marijuana registry program regarding the accuracy of this information. We tried to get it right.
Here is a side by side comparison of the sixteen states (plus Washington D.C.) that have medical marijuana laws on the books, listed in the order they enacted their medical marijuana laws.
| State | Year passed | Amount of 'usable marijuana' allowed | Total plants allowed | Recognizes other states' ID cards | Dispensaries specifically authorized |
% of votes |
Allow "medical use" defense 3 |
Registration Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1996 | 8 ounces 1 | 18 plants – 12 mature 1 | NO | 56% | optional | ||
| Alaska | 1998 | 1 ounce |
6 plants - 3 mature |
NO | 58% | NO | mandatory | |
| Oregon | 1998 | 24 ounces (a pillowcase full) | 24 plants - 6 mature | NO | 55% | YES | ||
| Washington | 1998 | 24 ounces | 15 plants | NO | 59% | NO | none | |
| Maine | 1999 | 2.5 ounces | 6 plants | YES | 61% | YES | N/A | |
| Colorado | 2000 | 2 ounces | 6 plants | NO | 54% | YES | voluntary | |
| Hawaii | 2000 | 3 ounces | 7 plants | NO | legislative | NO | ||
| Nevada | 2000 | 1 ounce | 7 plants | NO | 65% | YES | ||
| Montana | 2004 | 1 ounce | 6 plants | YES | 62% | YES | ||
| Vermont | 2004 | 2 ounces | 9 plants | NO | legislative | NO | mandatory | |
| Rhode Island | 2006 | 2.5 ounces | 12 plants | NO | legislative | YES | ||
| New Mexico | 2007 | 6 ounces | 16 plants | NO | legislative | NO | ||
| Michigan | 2008 | 2.5 ounces | 12 plants | YES | No | 63% | YES | voluntary |
| New Jersey | 2010 | 2 ounces per month | unknown | unknown | legislative | unknown | mandatory | |
| Washington D.C. | 2010 | none | 69% | |||||
| Arizona | 2010 | 2.5 ounces | 12 plants 2 | YES | YES | 50.13% | NO | mandatory |
| Delaware | 2011 | 6 ounces if from state-licensed dispensary | none | YES | YES | legislative | YES | voluntary |
Notes:
1 The California Supreme Court struck down these limits as unconstitutional. For now, the amount a patient can possess depends on the county you are in. Each county has its own regulations as to the amount of plants or marijuana that can be grown or possessed. What is allowed in one county may well be not allowed in a neighboring county.
2 Cannot grow or possess plants if there is a state-licensed dispensary within 25 miles.
3 These states recognize an Affirmative Defense which can be argued after an arrest, and thus protect an otherwise eligible patient or caregiver from a criminal conviction. Your medical pot and plants are seized but you may be able to avoid a criminal conviction.
Registration.
There is zero protection if you are Not registered in the following states: Alaska, Vermont, New Mexico, and New Jersey. Typically a medical marijuana ID card in-hand is the strongest legal protection, especially in California.
Many of the marijuana amounts which can be legally possessed under state law is doubled if the patient has a caretaker or caregiver to either grow or obtain the marijuana (i.e., in Michigan a patient can possess 2.5 ounces and their caregiver an additional 2.5 ounces).
One State Has Passed favorable Marijuana Laws
Maryland have passed favorable marijuana laws that reduce the punishment or fines, but neither has legalized marijuana nor do they have a medical marijuana registry program; those who are busted end up with a criminal conviction.
We are Knowledgeable about Michigan's Medical Marijuana Law
Criminal Defense Attorney Bruce Alan Block has thoroughly studied the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act, stays current on changing laws and court decisions, and knows how to present and its defenses. He is a legal committee member of The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), and is experienced.
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Contact Us
Attorney Bruce Alan Block is a Grand Rapids, Michigan criminal defense lawyer who defends clients and represents their interests. He has successfully handled cases where clients were accused of possession of marijuana, manufacture, delivery, possession with intent to deliver marijuana, maintaining a drug house, and similar offenses. If you are accused of a marijuana crime, put his years of experience to work for you. Call (616) 458-8585.
If you or a family member has been charged with or accused of a crime you need immediate advice from an experienced criminal defense attorney. Contact our Grand Rapids, Michigan, marijuana, drug, criminal defense lawyer at (616) 458-8585.
Bruce Alan Block, PLC
Attorney and Counselor at Law
4251 Cascade Road SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546
Phone: (616) 458-8585
Serving Clients throughout Western Michigan, in Grand Rapids, Ada, East Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Cascade, Wyoming, Byron Center, Wyoming, Caledonia, Cascade, Rockford, Holland, Grand Haven, Grandville, Kent, Barry, Ottawa, Muskegon and Ionia County. We represent college students from Calvin College, Aquinas, Grand Valley State University, Cornerstone Colleg, Grand Rapids Community College, Michigan State University, and Western Michigan University.
Disclaimer: It is our hope that everyone will strictly adhere to the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act's requirements. Please understand that the purpose of this webpage is strictly informational; nothing on this website or this webpage are intended to suggest that you violate any state or federal law. You are advised to seek your own personalized legal advice.