Each state has had its own path to creating and passing legislation designed to help residents have access to medication they need. Looking at the timelines of how legilsation was passed in each state, in addition to the number of amendments, is in some ways a reflection of the level of controversy over the plant in any given state.
This quick summary includes links to all of the legal documentation released by each state.
| Year Passed | State | Law Voted | Law Enacted | Amended | Amendment Explined | % of Vote |
| 1996 | California | Nov. 5, 1996 | Nov. 6, 1996 | Jan. 1, 2004 | Guidelines outlining how much medicinal marijuana patients may grow and possess | Proposition 215 (56%) |
| 1998 | Alaska | Nov. 3, 1998 | March 4, 1999 | June 2, 1999 | Mandates registration | Ballot Measure 8 (58%) |
| 1998 | Oregon | Nov. 3, 1998 | Dec. 3, 1998 | Jan. 1, 2006; July 21, 1999; June 6, 2013; Aug. 14, 2013 | Possession of amounts exceeding state guidelines cannot argue “affirmative defense” and mature plants are 12″ height in diameter; only cultivate in one location; adds PTSD; creates dispensary program | Ballot Measure 67 (55%) |
| 1998 | Washington | Nov. 3, 1998 | Nov. 3, 1998 | Nov. 2, 2008; July 22, 2011 | Defined the state’s official “60-day supply; removed state-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries and a voluntary patient registry | Initiative 692 (59%) |
| 1999 | Maine | Nov. 2, 1999 | Dec. 22, 1999 | Nov. 3, 2009 | Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to establish a registry identification program for patients and caregivers, and stipulates provisions for the operation of nonprofit dispensary | Ballot Question 2 (61%) |
| 2000 | Colorado | Nov. 7, 2000 | June 1, 2001 | June 7, 2010 | Giving local communities the ability to ban or place sensible and much-needed controls on the operation, location and ownership of these establishments | Ballot Amendment 20 (54%) |
| 2000 | Hawaii | June 4, 2000 | Dec. 28, 2000 | June 25, 2013; Jan 2, 2015 | Establishes a medical marijuana registry special fund to pay for the program and transfers the medical marijuana program from the Department of Public Safety to the Department of Public Health | Senate Bill 862 (32-18 House; 13-12 Senate) |
| 2000 | Nevada | Nov. 7, 2000 | Oct. 1, 2001 | Oct. 1, 2001; June 12, 2013 | Created a state registry; registration of medical marijuana establishments authorized to cultivate or dispense marijuana or manufacture edible marijuana products | Ballot Question 9 (65%) |
| 2004 | Montana | Nov. 2, 2004 | Nov. 2, 2004 | June 1, 2011 | Requires a Montana driver’s license or state issued ID card and a second physician is required to confirm a chronic pain diagnosis | Initiative 148 (62%) |
| 2004 | Vermont | May 26, 2004 | July 1, 2004 | May 30, 2007; June 2, 2011 | Specifies possession quantity and defines Designated the state’s official “60-day supply”; creating state-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries and a voluntary patient registry | Senate Bill 76 (22-7) HB 645 (82-59) |
| 2006 | Rhode Island | June 24, 2005 – Jan. 3, 2006 | Jan. 3, 2006 | June 21, 2007 | Defines rules and regulations for designated compassion centers | Senate Bill 0710 (52-10 House; 33-1 Senate) |
| 2007 | New Mexico | Mar. 13, 2007 | July 1, 2007 | n/a | Senate Bill 523 (36-31 House; 32-3 Senate) | |
| 2008 | Michigan | Nov. 4, 2008 | Dec. 4, 2008 | Dec. 31, 2012; Apr. 1, 2013; Feb. 8, 2013 | Illegal to “transport or possess” usable marijuana by car unless enclosed in trunk; Requires proof of Michigan residency when applying for a registry ID card and defining patient physician relationship; dispensaries are illegal/provision only from caregivers | Proposal 1 (63%) |
| 2010 | Arizona | Nov. 2, 2010 | April 14, 2011 | May 7, 2013 | Specifies as illegal, use on post secondary campuses and in university lab | Proposition 203 (50.13%) |
| 2010 | DC | May 4, 2010 | July 27, 2010 | Apr. 14, 2011 | Amendment Act B18-622 (13-0 vote) | |
| 2010 | New Jersey | Jan. 18, 2010 | June 18, 2011 | Dec. 20, 2011; | Prohibits limitations on the number of hybrid strains developed, and expands means of packaging and distribution | Senate Bill 119 (48-14 House; 25-13 Senate) |
| 2011 | Delaware | May 13, 2011 | July 1, 2011 | Feb. 12, 2012; Aug. 15, 2013 | Temporary moratorium on issuing licenses; notice for relaunch | Senate Bill 17 (27-14 House, 17-4 Senate) |
| 2012 | Connecticut | May 31, 2012 | Oct. 1, 2012 | Jan. 16, 2013 | Draft regulations | House Bill 5389 (96-51 House, 21-13 Senate) |
| 2012 | Massachusetts | Nov. 6, 2012 | Jan. 1, 2013 | n/a | Ballot Question 3 (63%) | |
| 2013 | Illinois | Aug. 1, 2013 | Jan. 1, 2014 | Aug. 1, 2013 | Explains key points of the law and notes that it is a four-year pilot program. | House Bill 1 (61-57 House; 35-21 Senate) |
| 2013 | New Hampshire | July 23, 2013 | July 23, 2013 | n/a | House Bill 573 (284-66 House; 18-6 Senate) |
