Marijuana is arguably one of the most popular recreational drugs in the United States.
In December 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug. In other words, marijuana has been reclassified as a drug with “moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence,” according to the Campus Drug Prevention website.
In all, 24 states have passed legislation to legalize marijuana for recreational use, including a few states around Iowa. Those states have seen a decent bump in revenue from recreational marijuana sales.
Is weed legal in Iowa?
At this point, recreational marijuana is illegal in Iowa.
However, lawmakers passed a bill in 2014 that allows medicinal marijuana. Over time, lawmakers expanded the medical cannabis program, but it is viewed as one of the strictest in the country.
Still, lawmakers have stopped short of making marijuana legal for recreational use, leaving Iowans to purchase recreational marijuana in other states.
Which states bordering Iowa sell weed legally?
As of February 2026, there are three states bordering Iowa that sell recreational marijuana legally: Missouri, Illinois and Minnesota.
Some other states have restrictions in place regarding marijuana. For instance, Nebraska and South Dakota each have comprehensive medical cannabis programs, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
How much has Illinois made in marijuana sales?
Illinois ended December 2025, its most recently reported month, with $116.6 million in retail marijuana sales, according to data from the state’s Cannabis Regulation Oversight Officer website.
The data also shows that the final four months of 2025 saw the year’s lowest sales for recreational marijuana. The state saw its highest month in May, recording nearly $150 million in recreational marijuana sales.
For the year, Illinois retail sales totaled $1.5 billion.
In fiscal year 2025, which ran July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, Illinois collected $281.3 million in cannabis tax revenue.
How much has Minnesota made in marijuana sales?
In January 2026, Minnesota recorded $10.3 million in retail recreational sales in the state, according to the state’s Office of Cannabis Management.
Minnesota allowed recreational sales at non-tribal dispensaries starting in September 2025.
Since legalization, Minnesota has recorded $41.5 million in retail sales of recreational marijuana. The state has not yet reported tax revenues, but it charges 15% Cannabis Tax.
How much has Missouri made in marijuana sales?
Just last month, Missouri recorded in $112.5 million in recreational marijuana sales, according to the Missouri Health & Senior Services’ website.
Over the last 12 months, recreational marijuana sales have averaged $100 million per month, with the highest total coming in December at just shy of $118 million.
The state transfers revenue from cannabis sales taxes and fees to the Missouri Department of Veterans, Missouri Public Defender’s Office and Department of Health and Senior Services’ Substance Use Disorder Grant Program. In 2025, that revenue totaled $50.7 million.
The sale of recreational marijuana became legal in Missouri in February 2023.
If recreational marijuana is illegal in Iowa, what is legal?
Although recreational marijuana isn’t legal in Iowa, the state does allow the sale of certain CBD and THC products.
In 2024, the state placed new limits on the amount of THC allowed in hemp products after a wave of THC-infused drinks and other products hit the market.
Emery Glover is an audience engagement specialist for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at eglover@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: States near Iowa legally sell marijuana. How much money do they make?
Reporting by Emery Glover, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
