Is Weed Legal In Arizona? Marijuana use is legal in Arizona for adults 21 or over. Recreational users may possess up to one ounce and grow six plants at home for personal recreational use.
Medical cannabis cardholders have different purchase and possession limits than recreational users (2.5 ounces with a medical card versus 1 ounce without). Driving under the influence of cannabis remains illegal and employers maintain the right to provide drug-free workplace environments.
① Medical Marijuana
Arizona’s marijuana laws allow for both the possession and cultivation of medical cannabis. Qualifying patients may grow up to 2.5 ounces at home. Medical cannabis comes in various forms including flowers, edibles, extracts and tinctures; oils and topical ointments.The Arizona Department of Health Services oversees its state’s medical marijuana program. Voters directed this department to create a user-friendly system; to this end, it scoured existing laws for best practices related to medical cannabis use.
Cancer, glaucoma and AIDS patients who use marijuana to treat themselves may legally possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and cultivate up to 12 plants at home; those who hold valid medical marijuana cards may purchase marijuana from dispensaries – provided they present their ID cards upon purchase.Dispensaries may only sell marijuana products to adults aged 21 or over and cannot market their packaging towards children. There are also strict rules about where and how you can smoke cannabis – no smoking anywhere visible from the street!
If caught smoking in a public place, this can lead to a class 6 felony charge. Arrest could also follow possession of more than 2.5 ounces or cultivation of six plants for cultivation, or driving under the influence of marijuana which could result in DUI charges.To qualify for medical marijuana card from ADHS, one must satisfy certain requirements set forth. Also necessary is joining state’s registry and paying a fee in order to receive your ID card. Holders of valid medical certificates can buy up to 2.5 ounces and grow 12 plants at home compared with recreational users who must purchase product at dispensaries and pay an excise tax of 16% as well as sales tax on top.
② Recreational Marijuana
At last November’s election, Arizona voters approved Prop 207, the Smart and Safe Arizona Act that legalizes recreational marijuana for adults 21 or over. Within 30 days after its implementation, adults legally possess up to two pounds of cannabis at one time at their primary residences as well as grow six plants for personal cultivation. Smoking marijuana publicly remains a violation; however, under this new law people can smoke privately provided they remain out of view of others.Marijuana-related businesses have reported record sales since recreational sales started. Some even exceeded medical sales in just the first few months of 2021!
Some workers may hesitate to work in marijuana-related businesses due to the stigma attached to it, while others struggle to get hired due to criminal histories or an inability to pass background checks. However, as the industry expands, these obstacles should eventually be overcome. Marijuana-related business owners worry about federal prohibition. Although no official statement has directly addressed their concerns, the Trump administration has indicated it will allow states to set their own marijuana policies. Nonetheless, federal prosecutors could still target dispensaries and other marijuana-related businesses. Legalizing marijuana in Arizona carries risks. While its supporters believe this change will boost Arizona’s economy, its critics have raised serious concerns over its negative societal ramifications including drunk driving, children accessing pot, and effects on mental health.
③ Growing Marijuana
Arizona has taken an impressive step toward legalization of marijuana, but that does not give growers complete freedom to cultivate marijuana plants. There are numerous rules and regulations to abide by and any infraction could lead to criminal charges and can leave a mark that can follow someone throughout their lives. Furthermore, all marijuana sold in Arizona must undergo testing for contaminants – both medical marijuana as well as recreational.Adults aged 21 or over may possess up to an ounce of marijuana and grow six plants at any one time, as well as transfer up to an ounce to another adult without receiving compensation in exchange.Law does not permit individuals to sell, trade or market marijuana for sale. Furthermore, smoking marijuana in public spaces and driving while impaired are illegal.
Adults looking to cultivate marijuana must reside within Arizona and possess a valid medical marijuana ID card from a physician licensed in Arizona. Keep in mind that marijuana cannot be grown within 25 miles of a dispensary, nor visible to the general public.If you are planning on cultivating marijuana in Arizona, it is wise to consult an attorney beforehand in order to comply with all the relevant rules and regulations. Jonathan Udell from Scottsdale’s Rose Law Group as well as communications director for Arizona NORML recommends that would-be growers familiarize themselves with all laws pertaining to growing, and review any lease language such as “drug free area” which could potentially obstruct them from growing the plants at their residence.
④ Possession of Marijuana
Arizona’s revised marijuana laws allow individuals aged 21 or over to possess up to an ounce of cannabis and five grams of concentrate at any one time and grow six plants at home. However, growers must keep plants hidden from public view and cannot use cannabis on federal land or near schools. Those caught possessing more than 2.5 ounces or 12 grams of cannabis concentrate face class 4 felonies, with minimum jail terms of one to 3.75 years and fines up to $150,000. Consumption in public and on public property is illegal as is carrying paraphernalia such as pipes, bongs or bags even when carrying less than an ounce.
State law now permits those convicted of marijuana-related crimes with prior convictions to have them expunged from their records if they weren’t charged with possession for sale or cultivation of more than six plants; additionally they must only have had up to 2.5 ounces in their possession when charged.If you have been charge with any marijuana-relate offense in Arizona. It’s critical that you contact an experienced Phoenix criminal defense attorney right away. Doing so increases the odds that your case can resolve without jail or paying large fines.