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Marijuana Tax Act Passed
The Marijuana Tax Act was passed in 1937 banning marijuana at the federal level where it still is illegal today. The act was put in place after initial fears of a "bad Mexican influence" where majority of marijuana came from at the time. The drug was also rumored to cause violent behavior in African American men. This act was eventually deemed unconstitutional and replaced with the Controlled Substances Act. -
California Passes Medicinal Use
Marijuana is allowed to be used for medicinal purposes in the state of California. Known as the California Compassionate Use Act. California is the first state to legalize any use of the drug. -
Oregon Allows Medicinal Use
Oregon becomes the second state to legalize medicinal marijuana use. The Oregon Medical Marijuana Act passed with 54.6 percent of the vote. Oregon is the first state to establish a registry of users. The biggest proponents of the bill were the Oregonians for Medical Rights and the American Civil Liberties Union. -
Maine Legalizes Medicinal Use
Maine legalizes the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. The initial bill allows use of the drug but does not mention access to it. The bill is updated in 2009 and the new bill repeals and replaces this one. The initial bill passed with 62 percent of the vote. Photo by Joshua Barash -
Nevada and Colorado Join the Club
Nevada and Colorado legalize medicinal marijuana use. The first time two states permit the use in the same year. Colorado's bill passes with 54 percent of the vote. Nevada is one of a few states that allows certified patients from out of state to purchase marijuana with the proper identification. -
Montana Legalizes Medicinal Use
Four years after the last states permit medicinal marijuana use Montana follows suit. The ballot measure passed with 62 percent of the vote. Montana has some of the strictest marijuana laws in the country. -
New Mexico and Vermont Legalize Medicinal Marijuana Use
Another three years go by before we get another state to legalize marijuana when New Mexico and Vermont permit medicinal usage. In Vermont the bill easily passed through the House and Senate but was never signed by Governor James Douglas so the bill became law when the signing period expired. 2016 presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Gary Johnson of Vermont and New Mexico respectively are strong proponents of medical marijuana use. -
Michigan Comes Aboard
Michigan becomes the ninth state to legalize medicinal marijuana use. In the legislation the drug is referred to as marihuana, the bill was approved by voters in the 2008 election cycle. Photo courtesy of the Michigan Municipal League. -
New Jersey and Arizona Join the Club
New Jersey and Arizona become the tenth and eleventh states respectively to legalize medicinal marijuana use. The New Jersey bill was passed by the General Assembly and State Senate. In Arizona the bill passed with 50.13 percent of the vote. Photo taken by Gage Skidmore. -
Massachusetts Follows Suit
Massachusetts joins nearby states Maine and Vermont in legalizing medicinal marijuana use. The bill is called "An Act for the Humanitarian Use of Marijuana." The ballot initiative passed with 63 percent of the vote. The National Cancer Institute was a major proponent of the bill. -
New York and Minnesota Say it's Time
New York and Minnesota legalize medicinal marijuana use. New York takes more than a year to actually enact the legislation. The New York bill is called the Compassionate Care Act. In New York the bill was passed by a Senate vote. The Minnesota bill was also passed by a Senate vote. Photo taken by Pat Arnow. -
Georgia and Texas Say Yes To Medicinal Use
Georgia and Texas hop on the medicinal marijuana train. Rep. Allen Peake was the key the getting the legislation passed in Georgia via a Senate vote. In Texas the bill was approved by a Senate vote. Heather Fazio, the Texas political director of the Marijuana Policy Project was key in getting the legislation passed. -
Florida, North Dakota, Arkansas, Pennsylvania and Ohio
For the first time more than two states legalize medicinal marijuana use in the same year. Pennsylvania and Ohio were early in the year while Florida, North Dakota and Arkansas followed with ballot measures in the election cycle. Florida State Senator Dwight Bullard was one of the major proponents of the legislation.
