which states have made marijuana legal
A total of 23 states, the District of Columbia and Guam now allow for comprehensive public medical marijuana and cannabis programs. Recently approved efforts in 14 states allow use of low THC, high cannabidiol (CBD) products for medical reasons in limited situations or as a legal defense. Those programs are not counted as comprehensive medical marijuana programs but are listed as passed in Table 2.
Colorado and Washington were the first U.S. states to approve adult-use marijuana in 2012. Colorado's first retail marijuana shops opened to long lines and high sales. In the first week, Colorado shops raked in more than $5 million. To date, with more than 100 shops now open, recreational marijuana retailers have generated sales of about $70 million. In Colorado's first five months of legalization, crime in Denver has been down, but state tax revenue has soared.