The United States Of America, Part Five. This is the story of how the American Republic developed from colonial beginnings in the 16th century, when the first European explorers arrived, until modern times.
Medical marijuana is now legal in 20 states and the District of Columbia. Of those states, Washington and Colorado have legalized marijuana for recreational use. Colorado's first retail marijuana stores opened Jan. 1 for sale to people 21 years and older. Under federal law, marijuana is still an illegal drug.
Currently there are no state programs of legal access to marijuana for medical purposes. In 1996, California and Arizona passed statewide voter initiatives that legalize marijuana for medical purposes in those states. The Arizona initiative was overturned by the state legislature.