All the states that have decriminalized marijuana and what that means

• Recreational marijuana use is currently legal in 10 states and Washington D.C, while medical marijuana is legal in 33 and Washington D.C.
• Thirteen US states have decriminalized marijuana but have yet to make the drug legal for recreational use. 
• The decriminalization of marijuana and legalization of it are two very different things. 
• Essentially, decriminalization means that the legal consequences for possession of small amounts of pot are not severe and someone caught with a small amount of marijuana won't face prosecution, jail time, or a receive a criminal record. 
• In contrast, the legalization of recreational marijuana means that adults can legally use, possess, and even grow their own marijuana for personal use.

As of January 2019, 22 US states and the District of Colombia have decriminalized recreational, non-medical marijuana. However, there are still plenty of rules surrounding how much weed you can possess and where marijuana can be used.  

Understanding the laws regarding marijuana will help you stay safe and out of trouble no matter where you roam.

Here's the difference between decriminalization and legalization.

Just because marijuana has been decriminalized in a particular place doesn't mean that individuals caught in possession of the drug won't face legal penalties. There's actually a significant difference between decriminalization of weed and full legalization.

Essentially, "decriminalization" means that the legal consequences for possession of small amounts of potare much less severe than they used to be. According to the Marijuana Project Policy, someone caught with a small amount of marijuana won't faceprosecution, jail time, or a receive a criminal record. However, they may be required to pay a fine and are generally considered to have committeda civil offense or minor misdemeanor, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Being discovered with a small amount of marijuana in states that have decriminalized the substance can be compared to receiving a speeding ticket – you won't got to jail, but you're still breaking the law. In contrast, the legalization of recreational marijuana means that adultscan legally use, possess, and even grow their own marijuana for personal use.

When it comes to marijuana laws, quantity matters.

If you plan on possessing any quantity of marijuana in the US, it's important to know the quantity which is either legal or decriminalized in your state. Amounts that may be considered civil infractions in one state might result in criminal prosecution just one state over.

Though possession of small amounts of marijuana isn't a serious offense in some states, having amounts over the decriminalized limit will open you up to prosecution, jail time, and a criminal record.

It's also important to remember thatmarijuana is still a Schedule I controlled substance and is thus technically illegal under federal law even in states that have legalized or decriminalized it.

Alaska legalized the growing, sale, and use of weed by adults in 2014.

Alaska allows people over the age of 21 topossess up to 1 ounce of marijuana on their person and up to six plants in their home, as long as three or fewer are mature and flowering at any one time.

Use of cannabis in any form (including vaping and edibles) is not permitted in public or on federal land, and private consumption must be out of view of the public. Using weed in public can carry a fine of up to $100.

It's illegal to transport any amount of cannabis out of the state. Cannabis may not be consumed before or while driving, and passengers in a vehicle are also prohibited from using marijuana.