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AZ Dispensary Guide

Arizona Regulated Cannabis Program Overview

Type of program: Medical and Recreational

In November of 2010, the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act, alternatively known as  Proposition 203, was passed. This measure officially protected seriously or terminally ill patients from prosecution for the use of doctor-recommended medical marijuana. 

All medical marijuana patients were required to register with the Arizona Department of Health Services and were legally allowed to obtain their medicine from local non-profit dispensaries. Patients could also designate caregivers to procure and administer their medical marijuana. 

All Arizona medical marijuana dispensaries are regulated by the Arizona Department of Health Services.

In the state of Arizona, all patients are required to have a doctor’s recommendation and one of the qualifying medical conditions. Medical marijuana patients must also register with the Arizona Department of Health Services and pay the appropriate fee.

There is no age limit for becoming an Arizona medical marijuana patient, however, all medical marijuana patients under the age of 18 must have a registered caregiver to purchase and administer their medication. 

Arizona Adult Recreational Marijuana Overview

Arizona became the 13th state in the U.S. to legalize the production and sale of adult-use marijuana, as of November 3, 2020, when voters approved the Smart and Safe Arizona Act or Prop 207.

Arizona now boasts the fastest transition period from voter-approval to state-wide legalization of cannabis in the U.S. to date. In January of 2021, Arizona officially allowed the sale of recreational marijuana to individuals age 21 and older. 

Arizona medical marijuana dispensaries

The state of Arizona currently has approximately 120 state-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries. Many of these dispensaries will be licensed to sell both medical and recreational marijuana.

One dispensary is allowed for every 10 pharmacies registered in Arizona. 

Available products

At present, dispensaries in the state of Arizona offer the following marijuana products for sale:

  • Marijuana flower
  • Edibles
  • Vapes 
  • Concentrates
  • Topicals

Marijuana Deliveries RX: Available

Patients located far from a medical marijuana dispensary might be able to have their medicine delivered to their home. Check with the nearest dispensaries.

Purchase and possession limits

The State of Arizona allows all qualifying medical marijuana patients to purchase up to two and a half ounces of cannabis for each two-week period.

Consumers of adult-use, recreational marijuana are allowed to purchase up to one ounce per transaction, and no more than five grams of concentrates/extracts per transaction.

For individuals not in possession of a medical marijuana card, possession or sale of more than 28 grams of cannabis is considered to be a crime in Arizona.

Possession for personal use of more than one ounce, but less than 2.5 ounces is a petty offense and is punishable by a maximum fine of $300.

Lab testing

Cannabis sold at marijuana dispensaries in Arizona must be tested by an independent laboratory for the following:

  • Cannabinoids and potency
  • Harmful bacteria 
  • Heavy metal
  • Herbicides
  • Mold
  • Mycotoxins
  • Pesticides and growth regulators
  • Residual solvents
Marijuana Doctors

How to get an Arizona medical marijuana card

To obtain a medical marijuana card in the state of Arizona, in addition to having a recommendation from a doctor and a qualifying condition, a patient:

  •  Must be 18 years or older (if under 18, you must have a legal guardian register as your caregiver)
  •  Must have a valid Arizona Driver’s License or Arizona Identification Card
  •  Must have an Arizona residential address

Usually, an Arizona medical marijuana doctor will submit a patient’s Physician Certification Form and the other required documents to the Dept. of Health Services’ website for them. If they do not, patients can do so here.

Patients can check the application status on the ADHS’s website here.

Once a patient’s application is submitted, they will receive an email with a digital medical marijuana card. 

Arizona medical marijuana doctors

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Arizona medical marijuana qualifying conditions

In order to obtain an Arizona medical marijuana card, patients must have at least one or more of the following qualifying medical conditions:

Fees

The state charges $150 for a card, which is valid for 2 years. It’s only $75 if on SNAP (food stamps).

Arizona medical marijuana doctors charge anywhere from $75-$250 for a medical marijuana patient examination.

Age Limits

In the state of Arizona, all medical marijuana qualifying patients must be 18 years of age or older. For patients under the age of 18, a caregiver must be designated.

To purchase recreational, adult-use marijuana in Arizona, the legal age is 21 years and older.

Caregivers

The state of Arizona allows qualifying medical marijuana patients the option of designating a caregiver. All registered caregivers in the state may service up to five patients and may grow up to 12 cannabis plants per patient if their client lives more than 25 miles from a dispensary. All caregivers who grow marijuana must comply with the State and City caregiver cultivation laws.

Telemedicine

The state of Arizona permits medical marijuana doctors to examine patients via telemedicine (video conference). 

MMJ Telemedicine Doctor

Reciprocity

Arizona recognizes out-of-state medical marijuana cards, for buyers under the age of 21. Anyone age 21 or older does not need a card

Arizona Marijuana Laws

Marijuana-related DUI laws in Arizona

Operating a vehicle, plane, or boat while impaired is illegal in Arizona. The state has very strict drugged driving laws. 

There is no minimum for detectable THC blood levels. If a driver is found to have any amount of THC in their blood they are considered to be “drugged.” 

However, the mere presence of cannabis does not, under Arizona law, constitute impairment. Arizona law enforcement may not arrest a motorist for the possession of marijuana unless they are determined to be impaired at the time of the arrest.

Selling

Offering for sale or selling of marijuana outside of a licensed dispensary is illegal. However, adults 21 and older may transfer up to 1 ounce of marijuana to another adult as long as there is no payment involved.

Workplace laws in Arizona 

Under Arizona medical marijuana laws, employers are not permitted to discriminate against medical marijuana patients when hiring. Moreover, employees may not be fired or penalized solely for being a medical marijuana patient unless they possessed or were impaired by marijuana while at work or on the premises during working hours. 

Public consumption laws in Arizona 

At present, smoking recreational or medical marijuana out in public spaces remains prohibited. Medical marijuana patients in Arizona may not possess or use medical marijuana on any school property, including buses, or in a jail or prison.

Social consumption:

Social consumption lounges and cannabis events do exist in Arizona, however, most social consumption clubs are private.

Home cultivation:

The state of Arizona now allows the home cultivation of no more than six plants per person at their primary residence or 12 plants at a residence with two individuals 21 and older.

Renters 

At present, the state of Arizona does not have a statewide law prohibiting the smoking of marijuana in private rented homes, apartments or condos. However, landlords can specify in a rental lease that smoking is not permitted in the residence.

Arizona marijuana and guns

Although marijuana is legal in the state of Arizona, it is still Federally prohibited. Therefore gun purchase or ownership is currently prohibited for anyone that consumes marijuana. 

Learn more about marijuana and guns

AZ hemp and CBD laws

Hemp flower, hemp-derived CBD, and other hemp products are legal in Arizona and may be purchased by any age group. However, some CBD shops in the state of Arizona may require their customers to be 18 years of age or older.

Learn more about Arizona hemp and CBD laws

Arizona medical marijuana information links

Arizona medical marijuana contact

  • Email: M2programsupport@azdhs.gov
  • Fax: (602) 364-1546
  • Phone: (602) 364-1793
  • Toll-Free: (844) 700-7300
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