Arizona State Information Page
Current Legality State
Fully Legal
- Medical and recreational use is legalized.
- Decriminalized statewide for personal use.
- Possession of one ounce is acceptable for adults.
- Cultivation of six marijuana plants is allowed for personal use.
Current Legality State
Fully Legal
- Medical and recreational use is legalized.
- Decriminalized statewide for personal use.
- Possession of one ounce is acceptable for adults.
- Cultivation of six marijuana plants is allowed for personal use.
Is Cannabis Legal In Arizona?
Arizona Qualifying Conditions
How to get a medical
marijuana card in Arizona
Frequently Asked Questions
Medical Cannabis Savings
Taxes explained and the benefits of getting your medical card in Arizona
Recreational Marijuana Taxes in Arizona
21.6% (5.6% sales tax + 16% excise tax)
Medical Marijuana Taxes in Arizona
6.6% state excise tax
(2-3% additional taxes in some municipalities)
Savings
Estimated Savings Having a Medical Marijuana Card
12-15% depending on municipality
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Is Cannabis Legal In Arizona?
Marijuana has been legal for recreational use in Arizona since 2020 for adults, and medical marijuana has been legal since 2010 for medical marijuana patients, cardholders, and caregivers.
To obtain a medical card to buy and grow your own cannabis, you’ll first need a licensed physician to recommend medical marijuana.
State Laws and Offenses
Here’s a list of penalties for Arizona’s possession, sale, and distribution of marijuana, concentrate, or paraphernalia.
- Marijuana is a Schedule I substance according to Arizona state laws
- Under federal law, cannabis is still considered a Schedule I Controlled Substance.
- Adults may possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow up to six marijuana plants for non-commercial purposes.
- An adult may transfer up to one ounce of marijuana to another adult as long as there is no remuneration and the transfer is not advertised or promoted to the public.
- Bringing less than two pounds of marijuana into Arizona is a felony, punishable by a minimum sentence of two years, a maximum sentence of seven years, and a minimum fine of 1000 USD or a fine to exhaust the proceeds of the drug offense.
- Arizona does not have any laws punishing paraphernalia possession, sale, or manufacture.
Arizona Qualifying Conditions For Medical Marijuana
Arizona allows patients with the following conditions to apply for an Arizona medical marijuana card:
- Cancer
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Hepatitis C
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/Lou Gehrig’s disease
- Severe Arthritis
- Crohn’s disease
- Agitation of Alzheimer’s disease
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Cachexia (wasting syndrome)
- Cancer
- Chronic pain, or similar debilitating medical condition
- Severe nausea
- Multiple sclerosis
- Seizures, including epilepsy
- Severe or persistent muscle spasms
Does Arizona accept out-of-state medical cards?
Arizona law has limited reciprocity for out-of-state medical cards, but an adult medical patient without an Arizona residency can visit a legal dispensary to purchase with an identification card.
When does my Arizona medical card expire?
Medical cards expire two years from the date the patient completes the registration process with the state.
How to get a medical marijuana card in Arizona
These are the steps to getting a medical marijuana card with the help of Leafy DOC
Book your appointment
- Easily make appointment online
- Skip unnecessary doctor office visits
- Provide basic medical history
Get your Medical Card
- Upon Approval you’ll receive confirmation email
- Receive a temporary card or card in the mail
- Enjoy the benefits of being a medical card holder!
Match with a Doctor
- Connect w/ the right doctor for you.
- Thorough evaluation via phone or video call.
- Provider will answer any questions.
Book your appointment
- Easily make appointment online
- Skip unnecessary doctor office visits
- Provide basic medical history
Match with a Doctor
- Connect w/ the right doctor for you.
- Thorough evaluation via phone or video call.
- Provider will answer any questions.
Get your Medical Card
- Upon Approval you’ll receive confirmation email
- Receive a temporary card or card in the mail
- Enjoy the benefits of being a medical card holder!
Cannabis Policy Reform Timeline
1922: Cannabis was banned due to the federal prohibition
1996: Proposition 200 to establish a medical marijuana program failed to make it to the ballot due to language technicalities
2002: Proposition 203 (Arizona Medical Marijuana Act) to legalize medical and recreational cannabis failed to earn enough votes
2010: Arizona’s Proposition 203 passed to legalize medical cannabis. The Arizona Department of Health Services is in charge of establishing regulations according to Arizona medical marijuana laws.
2020: Proposition 207 or The Safe and Smart Act was passed by Arizona voters and recreational marijuana became legalized; minor possession became decriminalized and a recreational cannabis sales program was established.
2021: The first cannabis industry dispensary opened, and retail cannabis sales began per state law and the newly established Arizona Dispensaries Association for recreational customers.
Some of the Current Cannabis Bills in Arizona
AZ SB1715 – Hemp-derived manufactured impairing cannabinoids
AZ SB1402 – Marijuana establishments; licensing
AZ SB1615 – Drug paraphernalia; classification
AZ HB2082 – Marijuana; sampling; advertising; sale
AZ HB2545 – Marijuana; social equity ownership licenses
Learn more about Cannabis legalization in Arizona:
https://norml.org/laws/arizona-penalties/
https://www.mpp.org/states/arizona/
https://azdor.gov/transaction-privilege-tax/adult-use-marijuana
https://www.azdhs.gov/licensing/medical-marijuana/index.php
