Country profile · Americas
United States
State-level only — illegal under federal law.
Adult-useLegalState-level only — illegal under federal law.
MedicalEstablishedA functioning prescription market with domestic or imported supply.
RegionAmericas
Last reviewedStatuses reviewed quarterly by our newsroom
The law in brief
Legal for adults in around half of the states and for medical use in most, but cannabis remains a federally controlled Schedule I substance. The federal rescheduling process and the hemp-derived THC market are the live policy fights.
Our classification for the United States: adult use legal, medical cannabis established.
Adult-use: LegalAdults may lawfully possess cannabis under national law (the United States is counted at state level).
Medical: EstablishedA functioning prescription market with domestic or imported supply.
Key dates and latest developments
How Countries Legalise Cannabis Matters More Than Whether They Do, Lancet Review Finds
International Regulation
Listed – Part II: The Three Amigos
Public Markets
DEA’s Schedule III Cannabis Order: A Free-For-All for Telehealth Platforms, or the Perfect Setup for the Entire Industry?
Industry Trends
The US Officially Reschedules Cannabis, Partly….
Policy & Regulation
