Since California first passed its medical marijuana law in 1996, the District of Columbia and 15 other states have followed suit. But the laws vary drastically state by state — from being liberal in California and Colorado to restrictive in New Mexico and New Jersey. The law in Maryland simply protects the seriously ill from being prosecuted, but it doesn't set up a system for patients to obtain the herb.
Click on a state to learn more about its medical marijuana statutes.
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This interactive map offers detailed information about the medical marijuana laws per state, with links to relevant legislation.
Some patients swear by it, but science has yet to catch up with their claims.
Government data show that Americans who admit to using pot have been holding steady since 2002.
They say changing attitudes make it harder to convince people that marijuana is a problem.
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