As 4/20 approaches, Kentuckians may want a refresher on what products and consumption methods are legal before the unofficial weed holiday.
According to 2025 data from the National Conference of State Legislatures, medical marijuana is now legal in most states, while nearly half also allow recreational use. Kentucky legalized medical marijuana at the start of 2025, with the first dispensary opening last December.
In December 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to federally reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug. Schedule I substances include drugs considered the most dangerous, such as heroin, LSD and ecstasy, while Schedule III drugs are defined by the Drug Enforcement Administration as having a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.
The order also directs the administration to work with Congress to reclassify hemp-derived cannabinoid products, potentially expanding access to CBD. Here’s what to know about marijuana laws.
Forty states and Washington, D.C., allow medical marijuana use, according to the NCSL:
*States that only have medical marijuana programs.
Medical marijuana was signed into law by Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear in March 2023, with the program launching on Jan. 1, 2025.
Prior to the official legislation creating a pathway for operation in Kentucky, Beshear signed an executive order in November 2022 that legalized the possession and use of medical marijuana by certain eligible individuals in the state, so long as it was purchased legally outside Kentucky and amounts to less than eight ounces, the Courier Journal previously reported.
No. Recreational marijuana remains illegal in the commonwealth.
According to Senate Bill 47 from 2023, products available at dispensaries for medical marijuana consumption include edibles, oils, tinctures, vapes and raw plant material.
Cardholders can possess up to a 30-day supply, with 10-day supplies also available. A 30-day supply consists of up to 112 grams of raw plant material, 28 grams of concentrates and 3,900 milligrams of THC-infused products such as edibles, oils and beverages.
A 10-day supply is up to 37.5 grams of raw plant material, 9.5 grams of concentrates and 1,300 milligrams of TCH-infused products.
The Office of Medical Cannabis says vape products will only be available to those 21 years or older, and all raw plant material will be labeled with “not intended for consumption by smoking,” as smoking the product is strictly prohibited. Vaping is also prohibited in public spaces, along with growing marijuana without a business license.
Twenty-four states and Washington, D.C., allow recreational marijuana use, according to the NCSL. Here’s a look at the states where recreational marijuana is legal:
Only one state has no marijuana program: Idaho.
In nine states, CBD and low THC products for medical use are legal, but medical and recreational marijuana is not. These states are:
Contributing: Olivia Evans, The Courier Journal. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com. Reach Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com.