Is Weed Legal in Arizona?
Is weed legal in Arizona? The legalization of weed is a widely and frequently discussed subject that has many Americans anxiously waiting in the hope of hearing good news.
For Arizonans, however, the struggle is over. They won the battle.
Arizona marijuana laws
Amendments to Arizona weed laws decriminalized medicinal cannabis and recreational pot use (for people 21 and older) across the state. As with all controlled substances, though, the lawmakers put specific restrictions on the possession, cultivation, trade, and consumption of marijuana.
In 2010, Az voters finally managed to pass the Arizona Medical Marijuana Question with a much-revised Proposition 203. It took roughly two years for medicinal cannabis to become available over the counter in December 2012.
Proposition 203 set out specific rules and regulations for the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS.) The organization uses these parameters to qualify caregivers and patients to receive access to medicinal weed and regulate licensed cannabis dispensary operations.
Nov 2020 Amendment to Az Marijuana Laws
In November 2020, lawmakers proposed the second amendment to Az marijuana laws through the Smart and Safe Act as Proposition 207. With the majority of Arizonans voting in favor of this ballot, the state decriminalized recreational pot use.
This victory changed Arizona pot laws, allowing adults 21 and older to:
- Grow up to six weed plants at their residence (primary accommodation only).
- Possess up to 0.18 oz. of marijuana concentrates.
- Carry up to 1 oz. of herb on their person.
Other changes to marijuana laws in Arizona include:
- The expungement of specific criminal records for weed possession.
- A 16% excise tax levy on cannabis.
The first recreational pot was sold in January 2021. This marked the quickest move from voter approval to retail availability in US states to date.
It can be challenging to understand the states’ laws that legalized cannabis, so staying up to date with legislation changes is essential. With recreational use legalized in more than 15 states, including Arizona, California, and New York, more are likely to amend their laws soon.
Keep an eye on this spot as Homegrown Cannabis Co. will keep you updated with all the latest developments and news here.
Is buying cannabis legal in Arizona?
Is weed legal in Arizona? Following the recent amendments to the Arizona weed law, patients, caregivers, and adults over 21 may purchase their pot from nonprofit-state-licensed dispensaries. Products for sale include capsules, salves, topicals, edibles, and cannabis flowers.
Restrictions have been put in place and, under Arizona dispensary laws, the maximum amounts individuals may purchase are:
- Recreational users
- Up to 1 oz. of weed flower.
- Up to 0.18 oz. of pot.
- May gift up to 1 oz. of marijuana to another adult.
- Medicinal users
- Up to 2.5 oz. of weed products over 2 weeks.
- May offer medicinal marijuana to another designated caregiver or registered patient as long as possession limits aren’t exceeded and nothing of value is received in exchange.
Arizona cannabis laws prohibit delivery services for recreational users. If you’re using it for fun, a tax levy of 16% applies.
Patients who can’t fetch their own pot can use a delivery service or designate a caregiver to pick up their meds. Medical marijuana sales get taxed at 6.6%. Several of these dispensaries also offer financial aid to qualifying candidates.
Arizona marijuana laws also restrict the number of allowed dispensaries: only one weed shop for every ten pharmacies.
Stoners and patients can find licensed dispensaries across Arizona and major metro areas such as Tucson, Tempe, and Phoenix.
Can I grow my own cannabis in Arizona?
As part of the Arizona weed legalization victory, cannabis cultivation was also decriminalized.
Under Az pot laws, any adult can grow up to six marijuana plants at home, as long as it’s kept out of public view. Two or more adults residing at the same address can cultivate up to twelve shrubs in total.
For medicinal users, the prospects are even better. Arizona medical marijuana laws allow caregivers and patients to grow up to 12 marijuana plants per registered individual. All they need to do is keep these plants have out of public view in a confined, locked container.
Following the legislative decision to make weed legal in Arizona, no landlord may penalize (in any form) or refuse to lease a property to someone solely based on their status as a medical marijuana cardholder.
Arizonans can finally stop asking, “Is weed legal in Arizona,” and start asking, “How do I grow cannabis from seed?”
Is cannabis consumption legal in Arizona?
Is it legal to smoke weed in Arizona? In short, yes, it is.
Following the ballot victory in November 2020, the consumption and possession of weed are legal within state borders, although severe restrictions apply.
According to weed laws in Arizona, using cannabis products for medicinal and recreational use is legal, as long as it’s privately. The only exception is edibles, which users may consume in public.
If you’re in a vehicle, regardless of whether you’re a passenger or the driver, you are not allowed to consume pot. Driving while under the influence of weed is also illegal.
Under Az MMJ Laws, nursing care institutions may implement reasonable rules and guidelines regulating the use of medicinal marijuana by their residents.
Unreasonably limiting a registered patient’s medical pot use, though, is prohibited. Unless it’s done to retain licensing-related or monetary benefits under federal regulations.
When will marijuana be legal in Arizona?
Following the ballot victory in November 2020, the public won the battle for marijuana legalization in Arizona.
As a result, it’s now legal to use, possess, purchase, and cultivate cannabis for medicinal and recreational use, all within state-regulated restrictions, of course.
With the legalities in place, the burning question “is weed legal in Arizona” can finally be answered positively.
Medical marijuana registry – Patient qualifying criteria
Arizona MMJ laws stipulate that all patients (adults and those younger than 18) must meet specific qualifying criteria for ADHS approval before they’re added to the medical marijuana registry.
When it comes to minors, their legal guardian or parent must also be their caregiver.
Adults aren’t required to appoint a caregiver, but one may be designated as needed. These individuals are allowed to assist in the cultivation and administration of medicinal weed and to purchase and deliver medical cannabis on the patient’s behalf.
Patient qualifying criteria
According to Arizona medical marijuana laws, the patient must be 18 years old to apply for a medical marijuana registry identification card. Any minors seeking to register for medicinal marijuana must meet the following criteria:
- The applicant’s physician must explain both the benefits and risks associated with medical weed use to the patient’s legal guardian or parent.
- The child’s legal guardian or parent has to submit written certifications from two physicians.
- The legal guardian or parent must accept the role of caregiver for the patient. They must also control the use, dosage, and purchase or cultivation of medical cannabis.
Qualifying Conditions
Anyone that wishes to qualify for the medical marijuana registry under Az weed laws must be diagnosed with one of the following conditions:
- HIV/AIDS
- Glaucoma
- Cancer
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Hepatitis C
- Crohn’s disease
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Lou Gherig’s disease or Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- A debilitating or chronic medical condition or disease, or the treatment thereof, including:
- Persistent or severe muscle spasms, including those related to multiple sclerosis
- Chronic and acute pain
- Wasting syndrome (Cachexia)
- Extreme nausea
- Seizures, including those related to epilepsy
Arizona medical marijuana laws also allow the public to petition the ADHS to add other debilitating medical conditions or diseases to this list.
Up in smoke
With the state legislature legalizing marijuana in Arizona, the wait for Arizona residents is finally over. Although some restrictions do apply, Arizonan stoners are free to send their favorite herb up in smoke in the privacy of their homes and even grow their own pot in their backyard.
If you live in Arizona and you’re itching to start your own weed garden, log on to Homegrown Cannabis Co. today!
We ship to all states and have a huge selection of the finest feminized seeds, autoflower, and regular strains. Check out products like Gorilla Glue 4 seeds, and expand your horizons.