Fact check: What states in America will be legalizing marijuana recreationally

1. Summary of the results

The original statement inquires about the states in America that will be legalizing marijuana recreationally. According to the analyses provided, 24 states have already legalized recreational marijuana ^[1]. However, the names of these states are not specified in these sources ^[1]. Another source predicts that 12 states may legalize cannabis in 2025, including Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Hawaii, and Virginia ^[2]. Additionally, an updated list of marijuana legalization by state as of June 26th, 2025, shows that 40 states, three territories, and the District of Columbia allow the use of medical cannabis products, and 24 states allow non-medical use ^[3]. Some sources also provide information on the launch of recreational marijuana markets in specific states, such as Minnesota ^[4].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

A key piece of missing context is the lack of a comprehensive list of states that have legalized recreational marijuana ^[1]. While some sources provide information on the number of states that have legalized recreational marijuana, they do not specify the names of these states. Another missing context is the absence of information on the laws and regulations surrounding recreational marijuana use in each state ^{[5] [6]}. Some sources provide interactive maps for information on marijuana legalization by state, but they do not specify which states have legalized recreational marijuana ^{[5] [6]}. Furthermore, the potential impact of Republican trifectas in state legislative chambers and governorships on marijuana legalization is only mentioned in one source ^[2], and more information on this topic would be beneficial.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be misleading due to its assumption that there are states that will be legalizing marijuana recreationally in the future, when in fact, 24 states have already legalized recreational marijuana ^[1]. This framing may benefit advocates for marijuana legalization by creating a sense of momentum and progress towards further legalization. On the other hand, opponents of marijuana legalization may be misled by the statement into thinking that recreational marijuana is not yet widely available, when in fact, it is already legal in many states. Additionally, the lack of specificity in the original statement may benefit sources that provide comprehensive information on marijuana legalization, such as those that provide interactive maps or updated lists of states that have legalized recreational marijuana ^{[3] [5] [6]}.