Arizona has had a tenuous relationship with medical marijuana for the past 20+ years.
It all started in 1996 when voters approved Proposition 200, which revamped Arizona marijuana laws and allowed the medicinal use of cannabis by patients with a doctor's recommendation. While it was one of the first medical marijuana laws in the U.S., joining the state of California with their passage of Proposition 215, state legislators repealed the law just months later, deferring to the Food and Drug Administration to determine the legality of medical cannabis instead of state voters, who supported the measure 2-to-1.
In 1998, Arizona voters rejected the state's reversal and reaffirmed medicinal marijuana by passing Proposition 300, though the law was largely ineffective at promoting medical marijuana use in the state due to specific language used in the bill.
Another attempt at fixing Arizona's marijuana laws was defeated by Arizona voters 43 percent to 57 percent four years later, in 2002. But, in 2010, a revised version of the same bill, Proposition 203, also known as the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act, was passed by the slimmest of margins -- just 4,000 votes out of 1.7 million, which gave supporters 50.1 percent of the vote.
However, the state legislature again attempted to restrict the reach of the new law in 2012 by forbidding access to medical marijuana on college campuses within the state. It wasn't until 2018 that the Arizona Supreme Court intervened, ruling the 2012 law unconstitutional on the grounds that the legislature did not have the authority to amend or repeal the wishes of the voters.
In 2016, Arizona tried for recreational legalization with Proposition 205, aka the Arizona Marijuana Legalization Initiative, but it was narrowly defeated by 51 percent of voters.
Learn more about marijuana in Arizona
In 2010, medical marijuana was legalized in Arizona, a state known for the Grand Canyon, rugged red mesas, mountainous plateaus, and the iconic sundrenched Saguaro cactus. While recreational marijuana was rejected by voters in 2016, the state continues to offer a comprehensive medical marijuana program, and adult-use recreational cannabis may not be far away.
FAQs
Does Arizona allow medical marijuana? ▼
Yes, Proposition 203, passed in 2010 and enacted on April 14, 2011, legalizes medical marijuana for registered patients in the state of Arizona.
Contained within the sixteen pages of legislation, Proposition 203 is a comprehensive framework that defines Arizona's medical marijuana laws, including the sale and use of medical marijuana and the licensure of patients, doctors, and medical marijuana dispensaries, and is governed by the Arizona Department of Health Services.
While not common elsewhere, Arizona also gives medical marijuana cardholders from other states reciprocity, which is a sort of legal arrangement that allows traveling cardholders access to affirmative defense while visiting. For example, if an active cardholder from Colorado was caught in Arizona with less than the possession limit as defined by Prop 203, rather than facing felony-level charges, their day would continue uninterrupted. That said, visiting cardholders cannot shop at Arizona dispensaries and recreational users are not afforded this same protection.
While not common elsewhere, Arizona also gives medical marijuana cardholders from other states reciprocity, which is a sort of legal arrangement that allows traveling cardholders access to affirmative defense while visiting. For example, if an active cardholder from Colorado was caught in Arizona with less than the possession limit as defined by Prop 203, rather than facing felony-level charges, their day would continue uninterrupted. That said, visiting cardholders cannot shop at Arizona dispensaries and recreational users are not afforded this same protection.
Is weed legal in Arizona?▼
Yes, but only for medical marijuana patients.
In 2016, Arizona voters rejected a measure that would have legalized the recreational use of marijuana for adults over the age of 21. One of the highest-profile state-level referendums that year, Proposition 205 was defeated by about 65,000 votes out of 2.5 million cast, 51 percent to 49 percent.
In 2016, Arizona voters rejected a measure that would have legalized the recreational use of marijuana for adults over the age of 21. One of the highest-profile state-level referendums that year, Proposition 205 was defeated by about 65,000 votes out of 2.5 million cast, 51 percent to 49 percent.
Where are the dispensaries located in Arizona?▼
According to Arizona marijuana laws, dispensaries are licensed based on the number of pharmacies in the surrounding area. For every ten pharmacies, one license can be issued for a medical marijuana dispensary. In absence of the proper ratio of pharmacies to dispensaries, each county is allowed at least one dispensary.
Are the Arizona dispensaries recreational or medical?▼
All dispensaries in the state of Arizona serve only medical marijuana patients and are governed by Prop 203 and the Arizona Department of Health Services.
As the recreational use of marijuana is not legal in Arizona, there are no recreational dispensaries or shops in the state.
As the recreational use of marijuana is not legal in Arizona, there are no recreational dispensaries or shops in the state.
Payment Methods Accepted at Dispensaries in Arizona▼
Due to the federal illegality of marijuana and the reluctance of banks and credit processing companies to work with marijuana businesses, most dispensaries in the state are cash only.
However, a growing number of dispensaries in Arizona allow the use of debit cards, which they run as an ATM transaction for a small fee. Dispensaries also usually have an ATM or two on site.
However, a growing number of dispensaries in Arizona allow the use of debit cards, which they run as an ATM transaction for a small fee. Dispensaries also usually have an ATM or two on site.
Arizona Grow Limits▼
Arizona medical marijuana laws do not allow most medical marijuana patients to grow their own cannabis. Instead, only card-carrying patients that live at least 25 miles away from a legally recognized medical marijuana dispensary and have prior approval by the state can engage in marijuana cultivation.
Furthermore, special precautions must be made to ensure that the public and non-cardholders do not have access to the grow, including keeping the plants in a secure, locked and enclosed space such as a room, closet, greenhouse or other area. Additionally, only 12 plants may be grown at any one time and marijuana harvested from any personal grow may not be given or sold to others.
Furthermore, special precautions must be made to ensure that the public and non-cardholders do not have access to the grow, including keeping the plants in a secure, locked and enclosed space such as a room, closet, greenhouse or other area. Additionally, only 12 plants may be grown at any one time and marijuana harvested from any personal grow may not be given or sold to others.
Arizona Purchasing Limits▼
Medical marijuana cardholders with active registrations with the Arizona Department of Health Services are able to purchase up to 2.5 ounces, or 70 grams, of marijuana every two weeks, up to a maximum of five ounces per month.
As it can be hard to keep track of these bi-monthly limits, some dispensaries have launched so-called "az mmj limit check" tools to help patients keep tabs on their usage and stay within the confines of the law.
Without a valid Arizona medical marijuana card, it is not legal to purchase, possess, transport, grow or use marijuana in the state.
As it can be hard to keep track of these bi-monthly limits, some dispensaries have launched so-called "az mmj limit check" tools to help patients keep tabs on their usage and stay within the confines of the law.
Without a valid Arizona medical marijuana card, it is not legal to purchase, possess, transport, grow or use marijuana in the state.
Can you go into a dispensary when you're under 21 in Arizona?▼
According to Arizona marijuana laws, all registered medical marijuana patients can enter any dispensary, no matter their age.
However, patients under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian registered with the state as a designated caregiver. Adults do not need a licensed caregiver but must be registered as a medical marijuana patient.
However, patients under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian registered with the state as a designated caregiver. Adults do not need a licensed caregiver but must be registered as a medical marijuana patient.
How old do you have to be to purchase marijuana in Arizona?▼
You do not need to be a specific age to purchase marijuana in Arizona, but you must be a medical marijuana patient under Arizona pot laws. For minors, you must have a parent or legal guardian designated as your caregiver and have a valid medical marijuana card.
Do you need a medical card to buy from a dispensary in Arizona?▼
Yes, all dispensaries in the state of Arizona are medical marijuana dispensaries. There are no legal ways to purchase marijuana for recreational use in the state.
Do you need a medical card to enter a dispensary in Arizona?▼
Yes, you must have a valid medical card to enter any dispensary, according to Arizona weed laws.
Arizona Possession/Use Limits▼
Medical marijuana patients in Arizona are allowed to possess up to two and a half ounces of usable marijuana, which is also the two-week purchase limit in the state, up to a five ounce maximum each month.
In June, 2018, concentrated marijuana was banned from being sold across the state.
In June, 2018, concentrated marijuana was banned from being sold across the state.
Arizona Consumption▼
While cannabis use is permitted for valid medical cardholders, smoking marijuana in public is prohibited, including at dispensaries, making private residences the best place to medicate.
Arizona marijuana laws also restrict the consumption of marijuana in hospitals, assisted living facilities and the like, so check with the Arizona Department of Health Services or your facility for the specific legality of special-use consumption.
Arizona marijuana laws also restrict the consumption of marijuana in hospitals, assisted living facilities and the like, so check with the Arizona Department of Health Services or your facility for the specific legality of special-use consumption.
Arizona Cultivation▼
As medical marijuana cardholders are not able to grow their own marijuana unless they live more than 25 miles from the closest dispensary, almost all cultivation in the state takes place by licensed growers and dispensaries in compliance with local zoning restrictions.
And due to the fact that all marijuana grows must be associated with a legal medical marijuana dispensary, there are no cultivation-only facilities.
Furthermore, though the Arizona Department of Health Services is responsible for licensing medical marijuana grows, they cannot advise on where or how to obtain seed plants or materials to grow marijuana.
And due to the fact that all marijuana grows must be associated with a legal medical marijuana dispensary, there are no cultivation-only facilities.
Furthermore, though the Arizona Department of Health Services is responsible for licensing medical marijuana grows, they cannot advise on where or how to obtain seed plants or materials to grow marijuana.
Medical At-Home Cultivation in Arizona▼
If a patient lives more than 25 miles from the nearest marijuana dispensary, Arizona medical marijuana laws allow registered cardholders to grow up to twelve plants in a locked, secure area at home.
Registered caregivers growing on behalf of other patients may care for no more than five cardholders at a time and may cultivate up to twelve plants for each cardholder for a maximum of 60 plants.
Note that any marijuana harvested from home cultivation in excess of the 2.5 ounce possession limit must be stored at home.
Registered caregivers growing on behalf of other patients may care for no more than five cardholders at a time and may cultivate up to twelve plants for each cardholder for a maximum of 60 plants.
Note that any marijuana harvested from home cultivation in excess of the 2.5 ounce possession limit must be stored at home.
Recreational At-Home Cultivation in Arizona▼
Arizona marijuana laws only allow the cultivation by medical marijuana patients if they live more than 25 miles from the nearest medical marijuana dispensary. All other personal grows, including for recreational use, are prohibited.
Arizona Transport▼
For registered cardholders, Arizona medical marijuana laws allow the transportation of marijuana within the state as long as possession use limits are not exceeded. This means that patients may not carry more than 2.5 ounces of flower marijuana with them at any time.
As with all other states, you cannot transport marijuana across state lines, even if it's to another legal state such as Nevada or California, or vice versa.
As with all other states, you cannot transport marijuana across state lines, even if it's to another legal state such as Nevada or California, or vice versa.
Is Marijuana delivery legal in Arizona?▼
Yes; according to Arizona weed laws, Proposition 203 allows dispensaries and caregivers to deliver medical marijuana directly to registered patients.
Marijuana and Driving in Arizona▼
Some illnesses, ailments, and conditions that qualify for the medical marijuana program in Arizona require constant medication, and the state of Arizona recognizes that.
Prop 203, however, does not allow driving while under the influence of marijuana, cardholder or not. Just like with alcohol, being in operational control of a vehicle while under the influence is illegal and subject to a misdemeanor offense and fines.
Prop 203, however, does not allow driving while under the influence of marijuana, cardholder or not. Just like with alcohol, being in operational control of a vehicle while under the influence is illegal and subject to a misdemeanor offense and fines.
Facts About Arizona Marijuana Laws▼
- Legislators have twice tried to reverse Arizona medical marijuana laws in the state by passing legislation that undermined successful, voter-backed initiatives, first in 1996 and again in 2012.
- With 1,678,356 votes cast, Proposition 203 was passed by just 4,000 votes, or 0.26 percent.
- The Arizona Department of Health Services and Proposition 203 mandates that all medical marijuana dispensaries must be nonprofit businesses.
- Unlike most medical marijuana states, Arizona patients are not allowed to grow their own marijuana unless they live 25 miles from the closest state dispensary and have prior approval by the state.
