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.
There are now 24 jurisdictions with laws that legalize use of marijuana for medical purposes. Five of those jurisdictionsâColorado, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and the District of Columbiaâhave gone so far as to legalize the drug for recreational use, with similar legislation pending or under consideration in a number of other states.