Michigan Leads U.S. in Per Capita Marijuana Sales in 2026, New Mexico, Montana and Massachusetts Follow

Legal marijuana markets have generated billions of dollars in sales during the first eight months of 2026, but adjusting those totals for population produces a very different ranking than simply looking at which states sell the most marijuana.

California remains the country’s largest legal marijuana market in raw dollars, generating more than $2.5 billion in sales from January through August. On a per capita basis, however, California is in the bottom three of the rankings.

Using monthly sales figures compiled by The Marijuana Herald for January through August and the latest U.S. Census Bureau state population estimates, Michigan ranks first among recreational marijuana states with available statewide sales data, followed by New Mexico, Montana and Massachusetts.

The analysis includes 22 of the 23 states with operating recreational marijuana markets. Alaska is excluded because comparable statewide retail sales data is not available, and Virginia is excluded because licensed adult-use sales don’t begin until July 1, 2027.

The calculation includes combined legal marijuana sales, including both recreational and medical purchases in states that operate both markets. Altogether, the 22 states included in the analysis generated approximately $16.2 billion in legal marijuana sales during the first eight months of 2026.

Population figures are based on the Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 estimates for July 1, 2025, the most recent completed set of state population estimates.

Here are the 22 recreational marijuana states with available statewide sales data, ranked from highest to lowest per capita legal marijuana sales through August 2026.

January-August sales: approximately $2.03 billion Population: 10,127,884

January-August sales: approximately $387.31 million Population: 2,125,498

January-August sales: approximately $203.19 million Population: 1,144,694

January-August sales: approximately $1.19 billion Population: 7,154,084

January-August sales: approximately $1.03 billion Population: 6,270,541

January-August sales: approximately $613.32 million Population: 4,273,586

January-August sales: approximately $87.73 million Population: 644,663

January-August sales: approximately $807.08 million Population: 6,265,347

January-August sales: approximately $759.16 million Population: 6,012,561

January-August sales: approximately $405.79 million Population: 3,282,188

January-August sales: approximately $165.5 million Population: 1,414,874

January-August sales: approximately $831.59 million Population: 7,623,818

January-August sales: approximately $738.08 million Population: 8,001,020

January-August sales: approximately $767.14 million Population: 9,548,215

January-August sales: approximately $1.02 billion Population: 12,719,141

January-August sales: approximately $75.45 million Population: 1,059,952

January-August sales: approximately $78.18 million Population: 1,114,521

January-August sales: approximately $825.7 million Population: 11,900,510

January-August sales: approximately $1.31 billion Population: 20,002,427

January-August sales: approximately $2.53 billion Population: 39,355,309

January-August sales: approximately $198.73 million Population: 3,688,496

January-August sales: approximately $191 million Population: 5,830,405

Note: Unlike most states on the list, Minnesota’s recreational industry is still in the early stages of development, meaning its position could change considerably as additional retailers and other licensed marijuana businesses open.