50-State Cannabis Law Guide
THCA Vendor SOP • Hemp & Marijuana Laws • Licensing Requirements • Actual Statute Citations
As requested by Congress through the Farm Bill reauthorization process and CRS Report R46189. Every state. Both hemp and marijuana. Current law with citations.
National Cannabis Law Summary
Congressional Framework
Federal legislation governing hemp and cannabis — the framework that all 50 state laws operate within.
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill)
P.L. 115-334; 7 U.S.C. § 1639o
Removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act. Defined hemp as cannabis with a delta-9 THC concentration of not more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis. Established USDA oversight of hemp production. Does NOT use "total THC" — uses only delta-9 THC.
Key Provision: Section 10113: Hemp Production — amends Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to define hemp using delta-9 THC only.
Farm Bill Reauthorization (2024-2026)
Pending legislation
House Agriculture Committee proposed "total THC" definition change. Senate version retains delta-9 only definition. Conference committee deadlocked. Key debate: whether THCA should count toward THC limit. Industry coalition (US Hemp Roundtable, Hemp Industries Association) lobbying for delta-9 only standard.
Key Provision: Section 11101 (House version): Would redefine hemp THC limit to include "total potential THC" — opposed by 31 state agriculture departments.
DEA Cannabis Rescheduling
89 FR 44597 (May 21, 2024)
Following HHS recommendation (Aug 2023), DEA proposed moving cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III. Public comment period received 43,000+ comments. Final rule pending. Schedule III would NOT legalize recreational cannabis but would remove 280E tax burden and enable more research.
Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA)
S. 4591 (117th Congress), reintroduced 118th Congress
Bipartisan bill to federally deschedule cannabis, expunge records, establish federal regulatory framework. Sponsors: Schumer (D-NY), Booker (D-NJ), Wyden (D-OR). Has not passed either chamber.
MORE Act (Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act)
H.R. 3617 (117th Congress)
Passed House in 2022. Would deschedule cannabis, establish 5% federal tax, create Community Reinvestment Grant Program, and require expungement of federal cannabis convictions.
STATES Act (Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States)
S. 3032 (115th Congress), reintroduced multiple sessions
Bipartisan bill ensuring federal law respects state cannabis laws. Would amend CSA to exempt state-legal cannabis activities from federal enforcement.
All 50 States
Click any state for the full vendor SOP, statute citations, licensing requirements, and key dates.
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
The Federal Definition of Hemp
7 U.S.C. § 1639o(1) — Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018
“The term ‘hemp’ means the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.”
This federal definition uses ONLY delta-9 THC — not “total THC,” not “potential THC after decarboxylation,” and not any formula incorporating THCA. States that adopt total THC standards are going BEYOND the federal definition. This definition remains in effect through November 12, 2026.
Your Voice Shapes These Laws
The cannabis laws of every state are being actively debated and rewritten. Comment on proposed legislation. Contact your representatives. Make your voice heard.
Disclaimer:This guide is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Cannabis laws change frequently — always verify current regulations with your state's regulatory agency before making business decisions. Statute citations and URLs were accurate as of March 2026 but may have been updated or amended. Consult a licensed attorney for advice specific to your situation. This resource was compiled in response to congressional interest in documenting state-level cannabis regulations through the Farm Bill reauthorization process (CRS Report R46189). No attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this content.