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 23 states with at least medical marijuana legalized. Denver became the first city in the nation to make the private use of marijuana legal for adults 21 and older. There are currently two states that allow for the recreational use of marijuana: Colorado and Washington.