Once Delaware and Minnesota Launch Sales Later This Year, Majority of Americans Will Live in States With Legal Recreational Marijuana Markets

Currently, 24 states have legalized recreational marijuana. Of those, 21 have operational retail markets. Minnesota and Delaware have legalized sales but have not yet launched them, while Virginia remains the only state that allows possession but does not allow any form of retail sales. Delaware announced today that their adult-use cannabis market will launch on August 1, with Minnesota’s market expected to launch later this year. Based on 2020 U.S. Census data, the 21 legal-marijuana states with active retail markets currently account for less than 50% of the country’s total population. Delaware has a population of around one million, while Minnesota is home to nearly six million people. Once both states launch sales, the total population in legal-sale states will exceed half the national total, or around 51%. In total, nearly 170 million Americans will live in states with an operational recreational cannabis market, out of the 331 million residents.

The shift marks a significant milestone in the ongoing state-by-state legalization effort. Colorado and Washington were the first state to launch commercial recreational marijuana sales in 2014. California began legal sales on January 1, 2018. With over 20 additional states now running adult-use markets, Delaware will become the 23rd state to begin sales on August 1, converting its medical dispensaries into dual-use outlets. Minnesota is expected to launch licensed recreational stores later in 2025.

Virginia remains the only state with legal recreational possession but no legal pathway for retail sales. Lawmakers have repeatedly failed to pass legislation establishing a regulated market.

Once Delaware and Minnesota launch their markets, more than half of U.S. residents will have access to legal marijuana sales in their home state, marking a demographic tipping point for the industry.