It's 4/20 today, so what better time to look at the ever-changing legal status of marijuana in the United States? Though it's been a gradual process over decades, the shift of cannabis use—for either medicinal or recreational purposes—from counterculture to the mainstream seems to have sped up overnight. In fact, after the election results came in at the end of 2020, the recreational use of marijuana was officially legal in 14 states. And now, in 2021 that number is up to 17, with New York, New Mexico, and Virginia all legalizing recreational use in recent weeks—and more are expected to do the same this year. Not to mention, there are only three states in the U.S. where it is still neither legal recreationally nor offered medicinally.
In addition to the continued legalization of marijuana, on Dec. 4, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a landmark bill decriminalizing marijuana on the federal level, CNN reported. The MORE Act (Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement), which will now move to the Senate, would eliminate criminal penalties for those who manufacture, distribute, or possess marijuana. It would also seek to remove prior marijuana-related convictions and use tax dollars to invest in job training and other programs to aid those who have been convicted of such crimes. So, with the House's passing of the MORE Act, more states choosing to legalize marijuana, and the cannabis business booming, we at Best Life set out to determine the most stoned state in America.
First, we looked at the legal status of cannabis both medicinally and recreationally* as of April 2021, based on official state laws gathered by workplace safety and compliance specialists DISA Global Solutions. Then, we collected the percentage of adults in each state who say they've used cannabis within the last year, according to Statista. We used that data plus the most recent population data from the U.S. Census Bureau to calculate the number of cannabis users per 100,000 residents in each state. Finally, we examined the National Cannabis Industry Association's sales projections for 2022 in both the recreational and medical marijuana markets, which were made using current data and financial analytics.
We then gave all metrics a weighted value and ran them through our exclusive algorithm to see how each state scored on our 100-point scale Stoned Index, where 0 is the least stoned and 100 is the most. (You'll see "N/A" noted in any instances where data either didn't apply or was not currently available, which we factored into how each metric was weighted.)
While you may predict the most stoned state in America to be California, you'd be off. The Golden State did rank highly on the list, but quite a few other states ranked higher. The top 10, in fact, contain states from all over the U.S., from the Pacific Northwest to New England to the Southwest to one non-contiguous state, too. Read on to discover the most stoned state in the country and find out where yours falls in the mix. And to learn where people enjoy a different kind of substance, This Is the Drunkest State in America, According to Data.
*In instances where a state officially passed a bill to legalize recreational use, but the law had yet to go into effect as of the date this article was published (like Virginia, for example), we considered recreational use to be legal.
50 | Texas
ShutterstockMedicinal use: CBD or low-level THC only
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 11,210
2022 projected medicinal sales: $156 million
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $540,076
Stoned Index Score: 0.04
49 | Nebraska
ShutterstockMedicinal use: No
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 12,700
2022 projected medicinal sales: N/A
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: N/A
Stoned Index Score: 2.58
48 | Iowa
ShutterstockMedicinal use: CBD or low-level THC only
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 12,610
2022 projected medicinal sales: N/A
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: N/A
Stoned Index Score: 3.01
47 | Alabama
Rob Hainer / ShutterstockMedicinal use: CBD or low-level THC only
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 12,820
2022 projected medicinal sales: N/A
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: N/A
Stoned Index Score: 3.54
46 | Utah
inga spence / AlamyMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 11,160
2022 projected medicinal sales: $17.2 million
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $536,501
Stoned Index Score: 3.86
45 | North Carolina
ShutterstockMedicinal use: CBD or low-level THC only
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 12,960
2022 projected medicinal sales: N/A
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: N/A
Stoned Index Score: 3.89
44 | Kentucky
ShutterstockMedicinal use: CBD or low-level THC only
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 13,000
2022 projected medicinal sales: N/A
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: N/A
Stoned Index Score: 3.99
43 | Wyoming
ShutterstockMedicinal use: CBD or low-level THC only
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 13,140
2022 projected medicinal sales: N/A
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: N/A
Stoned Index Score: 4.35
42 | Tennessee
ShutterstockMedicinal use: CBD or low-level THC only
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 13,240
2022 projected medicinal sales: N/A
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: N/A
Stoned Index Score: 4.60
41 | Kansas
ShutterstockMedicinal use: No
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 13,930
2022 projected medicinal sales: N/A
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: N/A
Stoned Index Score: 5.69
40 | Idaho
Josh Garver / ShutterstockMedicinal use: No
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 13,960
2022 projected medicinal sales: N/A
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: N/A
Stoned Index Score: 5.77
39 | Georgia
ShutterstockMedicinal use: CBD or low-level THC only
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 13,710
2022 projected medicinal sales: N/A
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: N/A
Stoned Index Score: 5.79
38 | Wisconsin
iStockMedicinal use: CBD or low-level THC only
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 13,770
2022 projected medicinal sales: N/A
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: N/A
Stoned Index Score: 5.94
37 | South Carolina
ShutterstockMedicinal use: CBD or low-level THC only
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 13,820
2022 projected medicinal sales: N/A
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: N/A
Stoned Index Score: 6.07
36 | Louisiana
ShutterstockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 12,540
2022 projected medicinal sales: $44 million
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $946,482
Stoned Index Score: 7.80
35 | Mississippi
ShutterstockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 11,670
2022 projected medicinal sales: $101 million
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $3.4 million
Stoned Index Score: 8.23
34 | Oklahoma
ShutterstockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 13,150
2022 projected medicinal sales: N/A
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: N/A
Stoned Index Score: 8.32
33 | North Dakota
ShutterstockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 12,170
2022 projected medicinal sales: $36 million
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $4.7 million
Stoned Index Score: 10.93
32 | Indiana
ShutterstockMedicinal use: CBD or low-level THC only
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 15,890
2022 projected medicinal sales: N/A
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: N/A
Stoned Index Score: 11.32
31 | Missouri
iStockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 14,820
2022 projected medicinal sales: N/A
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: N/A
Stoned Index Score: 12.55
30 | Ohio
ShutterstockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 13,960
2022 projected medicinal sales: $298 million
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $2.5 million
Stoned Index Score: 13.12
29 | West Virginia
ShutterstockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 14,650
2022 projected medicinal sales: $36 million
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $2.0 million
Stoned Index Score: 14.29
28 | Virginia
ShutterstockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: Yes
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 12,050
2022 projected medicinal sales: $17.2 million
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $201,510
Stoned Index Score: 14.30
27 | Arkansas
ShutterstockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 13,610
2022 projected medicinal sales: $139 million
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $4.6 million
Stoned Index Score: 14.45
26 | South Dakota
ShutterstockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: Yes
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 12,260
2022 projected medicinal sales: N/A
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: N/A
Stoned Index Score: 14.62
25 | Pennsylvania
ShutterstockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 14,470
2022 projected medicinal sales: $363 million
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $2.8 million
Stoned Index Score: 14.72
24 | Minnesota
ShutterstockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 15,900
2022 projected medicinal sales: $101 million
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $1.8 million
Stoned Index Score: 17.22
23 | New Jersey
ShutterstockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: Yes
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 12,420
2022 projected medicinal sales: $284 million
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $3.2 million
Stoned Index Score: 18.47
22 | Florida
ShutterstockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 14,450
2022 projected medicinal sales: $1.7 billion
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $7.9 million
Stoned Index Score: 20.15
And to find out another substance people enjoy, This Is the Most Popular Beer in America, According to Data.
21 | Maryland
ShutterstockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 14,810
2022 projected medicinal sales: $139 million
2022 projected recreational sales: $289 million
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $7.1 million
Stoned Index Score: 20.16
20 | Hawaii
ShutterstockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 14,560
2022 projected medicinal sales: $120 million
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $8.5 million
Stoned Index Score: 21.03
19 | New York
ShutterstockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: Yes
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 15,530
2022 projected medicinal sales: $504 million
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $2.6 million
Stoned Index Score: 25.70
And for the beverage people closest to you love the most, check out The Most Popular Cocktail in Your State, According to Data.
18 | Illinois
ShutterstockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: Yes
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 15,410
2022 projected medicinal sales: $400 million
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $3.2 million
Stoned Index Score: 26.00
17 | Delaware
iStockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 17,400
2022 projected medicinal sales: $12 million
2022 projected recreational sales: $67 million
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $8.1 million
Stoned Index Score: 27.84
16 | Connecticut
iStockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 18,680
2022 projected medicinal sales: $103 million
2022 projected recreational sales: $99 million
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $5.7 million
Stoned Index Score: 28.44
15 | New Hampshire
ShutterstockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 20,890
2022 projected medicinal sales: $36 million
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $2.7 million
Stoned Index Score: 30.79
14 | Arizona
ShutterstockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: Yes
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 17,200
2022 projected medicinal sales: $948 million
2022 projected recreational sales: $243 million
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $16.4 million
Stoned Index Score: 44.78
13 | New Mexico
Gimas / ShutterstockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: Yes
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 18,990
2022 projected medicinal sales: $275 million
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $13.1 million
Stoned Index Score: 45.81
12 | Michigan
ShutterstockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: Yes
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 18,910
2022 projected medicinal sales: $698 million
2022 projected recreational sales: $663 million
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $13.6 million
Stoned Index Score: 46.16
11 | Rhode Island
ShutterstockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: No
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 21,210
2022 projected medicinal sales: $69 million
2022 projected recreational sales: $122 million
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $18 million
Stoned Index Score: 48.18
10 | Montana
ShutterstockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: Yes
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 20,070
2022 projected medicinal sales: $148 million
2022 projected recreational sales: N/A
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $13.1 million
Stoned Index Score: 49.34
9 | California
iStockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: Yes
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 18,890
2022 projected medicinal sales: $133 million
2022 projected recreational sales: $7.6 billion
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $19.6 million
Stoned Index Score: 52.52
And for more exclusive state and city rankings delivered to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
8 | Massachusetts
ShutterstockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: Yes
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 20,870
2022 projected medicinal sales: $113 million
2022 projected recreational sales: $1.1 billion
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $17.6 million
Stoned Index Score: 55.41
7 | Alaska
ShutterstockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: Yes
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 24,520
2022 projected medicinal sales: $3 million
2022 projected recreational sales: $119 million
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $16.7 million
Stoned Index Score: 63.66
6 | Nevada
iStock/AvatarKnowmadMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: Yes
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 22,610
2022 projected medicinal sales: $38 million
2022 projected recreational sales: $615 million
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $21.2 million
Stoned Index Score: 63.70
5 | Washington
Denise Lett / ShutterstockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: Yes
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 24,180
2022 projected medicinal sales: N/A
2022 projected recreational sales: $1.5 billion
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $19.7 million
Stoned Index Score: 66.06
4 | Maine
Randall Vermillion / ShutterstockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: Yes
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 25,530
2022 projected medicinal sales: $28 million
2022 projected recreational sales: $237 million
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $19.7 million
Stoned Index Score: 66.96
3 | Vermont
ShutterstockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: Yes
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 25,710
2022 projected medicinal sales: $44 million
2022 projected recreational sales: $64 million
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $17.3 million
Stoned Index Score: 67.36
2 | Oregon
Nagel Photography / ShutterstockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: Yes
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 28,560
2022 projected medicinal sales: $59 million
2022 projected recreational sales: $848 million
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $21.5 million
Stoned Index Score: 79.10
1 | Colorado
iStockMedicinal use: Yes
Recreational use: Yes
Adult cannabis users per 100,000 people: 27,707
2022 projected medicinal sales: $360 million
2022 projected recreational sales: $2.1 billion
2022 projected total sales per 100,000 people: $42.7 million
Stoned Index Score: 99.97
And to learn which part of the U.S. is the most active between the sheets, This Is the Most Promiscuous State in America, According to Data.
