Ahead of 4/20, Kentucky is one of 40 states with legal medical marijuana
As the unofficial weed holiday, 4/20, approaches, Kentuckians may want to refresh their knowledge on the legalities surrounding medical marijuana in the state. Kentucky legalized medical marijuana in 2025, with the first dispensary opening in December of that year.
Forty states and Washington, D.C. now permit medical marijuana, while 24 states and D.C. allow recreational use. According to 2025 data from the National Conference of State Legislatures, medical marijuana is now legal in most states, with nearly half also allowing recreational use.
In December 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to federally reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug. This move directs the administration to work with Congress to reclassify hemp-derived cannabinoid products, potentially expanding access to CBD.
In Kentucky, medical marijuana is legal, but recreational use remains illegal. The state’s medical marijuana program allows for the possession and use of certain products, including edibles, oils, tinctures, vapes, and raw plant material. Cardholders can possess up to a 30-day supply, with 10-day supplies also available.
The Office of Medical Cannabis notes that vape products will only be available to those 21 years or older, and all raw plant material will be labeled with “not intended for consumption by smoking,” as smoking is strictly prohibited. Vaping is also prohibited in public spaces, along with growing marijuana without a business license.
Recreational marijuana use is legal in 24 states and Washington, D.C. These states include Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.
In contrast, only one state has no marijuana program: Idaho. Nine states allow CBD and low THC products for medical use, but do not permit medical or recreational marijuana: Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
