New Jersey will start selling recreational marijuana on April 21, about a year and a half after voters overwhelmingly approved a measure to legalize it.The newest industry in the Garden State has an estimated 800,000 potential recreational customers, and roughly 800,000 more potential marijuana "tourists," the commission regulating the state’s cannabis sales reported.
Neighboring Pennsylvania has medical cannabis but not recreational, and New York won’t start recreational sales until later this year.In the 10 years since Colorado and Washington voters became the first in the nation to approve recreational marijuana use, 16 other states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational cannabis.
Thirty-seven states have legalized medical marijuana. RELATED: Mike Tyson’s weed brand markets ear-shaped edibles, launches nationwide expansionAccording to data from the National Conference of State Legislatures, there are only three states in the nation with no cannabis access laws on the books.Here’s a look at where marijuana laws stand in each state: AlaskaArizonaCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutIllinoisMaineMassachusettsMichiganMontanaNevadaNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkOregonVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington, DCTo meet the criteria for a "comprehensive" medical marijuana program, states must offer protection from criminal penalties; access to cannabis through home growing or dispensaries; a variety of strains and products with more than "low THC," and allow users to smoke or vape the products.
The NCSL says they also can’t be limited trial programs like the one underway in Nebraska.Photo credit: ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images Here are the states and U.S.