Recreational Cannabis by U.S. State


 * Alaska: Measure 2 led by about 52-48 percent with all precincts reporting preliminary results early on Wednesday, November 5, 2014.

A regulatory body will have nine months to write regulations after the election is certified and the measure becomes law, with stores likely coming at some point in 2016. This law legalizes the possession, use and sale of the drug for recreational use. Adults age 21 and older may possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana and grow up to six plants (with no more than three being mature) for personal use. The measure also legalizes the manufacture, sale and possession of marijuana paraphernalia, such as devices used for smoking or storing the plant.


 * Colorado: Fifty-five percent of Colorado voters approved Amendment 64, which legalizes the adult personal use of cannabis and calls on state lawmakers to enact regulations licensing its commercial production and sales. Private possession of up to one ounce is no penalty. Private cultivation of up to six marijuana plants, with no more than three being mature is no penalty. Transfer of one ounce or less for no remuneration is no penalty. The law took effect on December 10, 2012.


 * Oregon: Measure 91, passed on Nov. 5, 2014., takes effect in July 2015 and stores could open the following year. The measure legalized recreational marijuana for people ages 21 and older, allowing adults over this age to possess up to eight ounces of "dried" marijuana and up to four plants. Additionally, the measure tasks the Oregon Liquor Control Commission with regulating sales of the drug.


 * Washington (state): Fifty-six percent of voters approved Initiative 502, permitting an adult to possess up to one-ounce of cannabis (and/or up to 16 ounces of marijuana-infused product in solid form, and 72 ounces of marijuana-infused product in liquid form) for their own personal use in private. The public consumption of marijuana is subject to a civil violation and fine. The law took effect on December 6, 2012.


 * Washington, D.C.: Initiative 71 allows for a person over 21 years old to posses up to two ounces of marijuana for personal use and grow up to six cannabis plants in their home. It also allows people to transfer up to one ounce of marijuana to another person, but not sell it.


 * The issue is not fully resolved for the District of Columbia, however. Because of its unique status as a district, not a state, Congress has the authority to overrule D.C. laws and some lawmakers have signaled that they would likely work to overrule the popular vote.