In the United States under federal law the use of cannabis for any purposes is illegal. However in the 80s and 90s many states began decriminalizing marijuana which has led to some states eventually making marijuana legal for both medical and recreational use.
Marijuana was first legalized for medicinal use in California in 1996. Since then, the medical use of cannabis has been legalized in 39 states and the District of Columbia. The use of cannabis for recreational purposes is now legal in 21 states and the DC area. There are still 13 states where the use of marijuana for any purpose is illegal.
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