Total ‘Yes’ Votes by Lawmakers in States Which Passed Medical Marijuana Through the Legislature

Of the 25 states that have legalized medical marijuana, 14 have done so through the legislative process, not through a voter-decided ballot initiative. Of these, all but Hawaii and New Mexico are in the eastern half of the US, suggesting more receptivity to legislative legalization in eastern states.

However, states which have legalized through the legislature have also produced some of the most restrictive programs in the country, including Illinois, New Jersey, and New York.