Marijuanaleaf

Effective Dates of Medical Marijuana Legalization in 15 states and D.C.

By donesb
  • California

    Ballot Proposition 215 -- Approved Nov. 5, 1996 by 56% of voters
  • Washington

    Ballot Initiative I-692 -- Approved Nov. 3, 1998 by 59% of voters
  • Oregon

    Ballot Measure 67 -- Approved Nov. 3, 1998 by 55% of voters
  • Alaska

    Ballot Measure 8 -- Approved Nov. 3, 1998 by 58% of voters
  • Maine

    Ballot Question 2 -- Approved Nov. 2, 1999 by 61% of voters
  • Hawaii

    Senate Bill 862 -- Signed into law by Gov. Ben Cayetano on June 14, 2000 Approved: By House, 32-18; by Senate 13-12
  • Colorado

    Ballot Amendment 20 -- Approved Nov. 7, 2000 by 54% of voters
  • Nevada

    Ballot Question 9 -- Approved Nov. 7, 2000 by 65% of voters
  • Vermont

    Senate Bill 76 -- Approved 22-7; House Bill 645 -- Approved 82-59; "Act Relating to Marijuana Use by Persons with Severe Illness" passed by the General Assembly Gov. James Douglas, allowed the act to pass into law unsigned on May 26, 2004
  • Montana

    Initiative 148 -- Approved Nov. 2, 2004 by 62% of voters
  • Rhode Island

    Senate Bill 0710 -- Approved by state House and Senate, vetoed by the Governor. Veto was over-ridden by House and Senate.
  • New Mexico

    Senate Bill 523 "The Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act" Approved: Mar. 13, 2007 by House, 36-31; by Senate, 32-3
  • Michigan

    Proposal 1 "Michigan Medical Marihuana Act" -- Approved Nov. 4, 2008 by 63% of voters
  • New Jersey

    Senate Bill 119 - Approved: Jan. 11, 2010 by House, 48-14; by Senate, 25-13. Signed into law by Gov. Jon Corzine on Jan. 18, 2010
    Effective: Six months from enactment
  • District of Columbia

    Amendment Act B18-622 "Legalization of Marijuana for Medical Treatment Amendment Act of 2010" -- Approved 13-0 by the Council of the District of Columbia on May 4, 2010; Signed by the Mayor on May 21, 2010
  • Arizona

    Ballot Proposition 203 "Arizona Medical Marijuana Act" -- Approved Nov. 2, 2010 by 50.13% of voters