Students For Safe Cannabis Policy:
Sourced from Tioga ASAP
Essential Information for Every Student: A Platform to Make Real Change
Overview
Recent years have seen a culture shift towards marijuana use, both recreationally and medically. As of 2026, Idaho, Wyoming, Kansas, and South Carolina are the only four states where marijuana remains classified as “fully illegal”, meaning it is not legally used medicinally or recreationally, according to the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). New York is classified as fully legal regarding marijuana use, despite recent research showing that cannabis use increases chance of developing mental illness, carries the risk of addiction, and can affect whether your heart and brain function correctly.
State by State Policies:
Sourced from DISA
As of 2026, 24 states plus Washington D.C have legalized recreational cannabis use for those over 21 and 38 states operate medical cannabis programs. By and large, the general public remains unaware of the very real long term mental health risks that are associated with use.
Legalization Should Not Replace Education