Alaska legalizes recreational use of marijuana

Alaska has become the third state in the U.S. to legalize the recreational use of marijuana.

A ballot measure approved by Alaska votes in November kicks in Tuesday, allowing adults 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of pot and up to six plants. Regulations for the sale of the drug still must be hammered out.

Smoking marijuana in public remains off-limits, and police officers in Alaska's largest city plan to strictly enforce the public ban.

Fear of people getting $100 fines for toking in public led an organizer to call off plans for a celebration party in downtown Anchorage.

Marijuana legalization supporters in Anchorage want the event to be low-key. They also plan to launch an advertising campaign recommending safe consumption, including ads on city buses. USA TODAY

States where recreational and medical use of weed is legal:

Alaska

Colorado

Oregon

Washington

States where medical use of weed is legal:

Arizona

California

Connecticut

Delaware

Hawaii

Illinois

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Montana

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

Rhode Island

Vermont

photo via hemp.org