Arizona State Information Page

Current Legality State – Arizona

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

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.
Find Arizona Dispensaries Nearby

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.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How many Arizona voters supported legalization?

    According to local news, Sixty-two percent of Arizona voters approved recreational legalization in 2020.

  • Are vape pens legal in Arizona?

    Yes, Marijuana inhalation devices are legal in the state of Arizona; however, smoking is not allowed in public spaces.

  • Can I grow marijuana at home in Arizona?

    Yes, the cultivation of up to six plants for personal consumption is legal by Arizona residents with qualifying conditions.

  • Can I get a medical marijuana card in Arizona?

    Medical marijuana cards are legal for adults or caregivers of adults and minors in Arizona. Get a medical card in Arizona once the following requirements are met:

    Patients must determine if they have a qualifying condition during an in-person visit with their Primary care Physician. The doctor’s recommendation can get you to the next step.

    Arizona Patients with a qualifying medical condition or caregivers of qualifying patients must submit medical records and fill out an application for the Department of Public Health and Social Services.

    The registered medical marijuana patient must submit the medical marijuana AZ application online. You’ll need:

    – Arizona photo ID
    – Passport-type photo
    – Pay a $150 application fee (supplemental nutrition assistance program members may be able to bypass the fee)

    The application process for an ID card can take up to four weeks. Once medical patients have received their medical card, you may purchase products containing medical marijuana in Arizona.

  • How many recreational dispensaries are in Arizona?

    As of 2022, there are approximately 120 dispensaries statewide for recreational marijuana users. Recreational edibles in Arizona are limited to 10 mg of THC per serving or 100 mg per package of the same product.

  • Will there be an expungement process?

    Yes. Beginning in July 2021, those previously convicted of possessing less than an ounce of marijuana, a maximum of six plants, or cannabis paraphernalia, can file a petition to expunge their criminal record.

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