In 1996, California became the first state in the United States to legalize medical marijuana.
In June 2001, Canada became the first country to legalize medical marijuana for terminally ill patients and those with chronic conditions.
To date, more than 30 countries and at least 30 US states have legalized medical marijuana in varying degrees, from medical to recreational uses.
Following is a list of countries that have legalized or decriminalized medical marijuana:
Greece, Czech Republic, Finland, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Germany, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Macedonia, Romania, Uruguay, United States, Peru, Russia, Switzerland, Ukraine, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Estonia, Mexico, Nepal, North Korea and Pakistan
US states that have legalized or decriminalized medical marijuana:
Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington/Washington, D.C., and West Virginia