Arizona is one of the nation’s most-visited states annually. So, people go here and the vast majority of them throw the question, is weed legal in Arizona?
Come equipped with knowledge and information for you to keep out and avoid unwanted repercussions and penalties while you’re in the state!
Don’t worry, we’ll be more than happy to help you with it – that’s why we built this guide up! We’ll give you total information about Arizona’s state laws about weed legalizations and more!
Arizona’s Medical Cannabis History
Contents
Like other states, Arizona didn’t immediately accept the fact that marijuana is a medical miracle and that it can be accepted and used for medicinal purposes. In fact, here’s a brief journey of how medicinal or medical marijuana was observed and practiced in the state.
1996 Proposition 200
This proposition had 65% of voters approve it. The Drug Medicalization, Prevention, and Control Act was a policy that allowed physicians to prescribe cannabis to patients. A few months later, legislators and lawmakers repealed it.
2002 Proposition 203
A few years after, in 2002, Proposition 20 was put up. This proposition was the initiative that sought in decriminalizing the recreational use of the drug, which failed by just having a 42.7% vote. Following that, the proposition was pushed and opposed by the law enforcement of the state.
2010 Proposition 203
After almost a decade of back-and-forth discussions, Proposition 203 was finally approved in November of 2010 with 50.1% of the total votes. This finally allowed patients that have doctor’s recommendations to have and possess up to 2 and ½ ounces of cannabis for the treatment of certain conditions.
2016 Proposition 205
When it comes to recreational cannabis, the commotion started in 2016, when Proposition 205 was passed with the intention of legalizing marijuana for recreational use. It failed with 48.7% of total votes and would continue to change through the years,
2020 Proposition 207
Finally, on the 3rd of November year 2020, Proposition 207 was surfacing. This was the initiative that allowed recreational cannabis to be decriminalized, having a total of 420,000 signatures to the Secretary’s State Office – inaugurating and approving the Smart and Safe Act.
This was the start of recreational marijuana legalization, allowing adults to carry or possess up to a single ounce of marijuana. In concentrate, it can be up to 4.9 grams. Cultivation has been allowed, too, giving adults the opportunity to plant up to six (6) plants in their homes – 12 allowed if there’s more than 1 adult in a household or a private property.
Cultivation, possession, and sale became legal on the 30th of November, 2020 and state-licensed sales of cannabis began on the 22nd of January, 2021 – the fastest retail sales availability in the entire nation.
Is Weed Legal in Arizona?
If you’re asking about recreational weed, then this is it! And to answer, yes, Arizona has been 420-user-friendly since 2020, and it has been slightly improving since!
The journey to recreational legalization began in 2016, when an initiative to legalize recreational marijuana through Proposition 205 failed, having only 48.7% of the total votes. Should that proposition have pushed to success, adults would be allowed to have up to 28 grams or one (1) ounce of cannabis, as well as cultivate up to a total of six (6) plants in adults’ homes.
4 years after that, in 2020, Proposition 207 was the vehicle that further legalized recreational marijuana in the state. This happened on the 3rd of November 2020, and to clarify things, just because it is now legal, doesn’t mean it’s as safe as tobacco and other forms of substance for smoking.
There are several points and factors that are imperative for people to know before they try the new legalization out. So, here are those!
- Only adults aged 21 years old or older are eligible to purchase marijuana from a licensed and authorized distributor
- Smoking in public (whether recreational or medical) is prohibited
- Driving under the influence is illegal and considered a misdemeanor
- Licensed establishments can only sell 1 ounce or less to recreational users and 2.5 ounces to medical patients who are verified
- As of writing, delivery of the substance, in any form is prohibited
NOTE: Medical marijuana patients are allowed to consume cannabis in edibles form, just as long as they are not driving or operating a motor vehicle.
Those are the factors of recreational marijuana (with a little bit of medical marijuana) in the state.
Arizona Marijuana Penalties You Need to Know About
Of course, there are certain restrictions in the legalities of cannabis possession, sale, and consumption in the state. It’s not like it’s allowed 100% of the way without setting laws, rules, and regulations.
So, we’ve helped you by creating this simple, yet effective table in outlining the different penalties you could get when you’re possessing, selling, manufacturing, and trafficking cannabis anywhere within the state.
Public use or consumption of marijuana is considered a petty offense and could incur small fines. However, this can escalate and can further worsen after multiple succeeding incidents. So, in order for you to have a clearer and better understanding of the laws and penalties in place, refer to this table here!
Possession of Cannabis
Possession of cannabis means the amount that you are carrying in a public place, just in case it’s checked and is detected.
| Offense or Amount of Cannabis | Penalty | Imprisonment | Maximum Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 oz | No penalty | None | No fine |
| 1 oz. to 2.5 oz | Petty offense | None | $300 |
| 2.5 oz to up to 1.9 lbs | Felony | 6 months to 1.5 years | $150,000 |
| 2 lbs to 3.9 lbs | Felony | 9 months to 2 years | $150,000 |
| 4 lbs + | Felony | 1.5 years to 3 years | $150,000 |
This is the current Arizona system in place for the possession of cannabis. Take note that this can change and be modified accordingly if the government sees the essence of it.
Sale of Cannabis
The sale of cannabis is not the one that’s purchased from a licensed or authorized retailer, but the transfer or sharing of the substance.
| Offense or Amount of Cannabis | Penalty | Imprisonment | Maximum Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sale, transfer, or sharing of up to 1 oz | No penalty | No imprisonment | No fine / $0 |
| Sale, transfer, or sharing of up to 1.9 lbs | Felony | 1.5 years to 3 years | $150,000 |
| 2 lbs to 4 lbs | Felony | 2.5 years to 7 years | $150,000 |
| 4 lbs + | Felony | 4 years to 10 years | $150,000 |
Manufacturing and/or Cultivation
This, lastly, refers to the overall amount of marijuana or cannabis plants you are growing and/or cultivating at home.
| Offense or Amount of Cannabis | Penalty | Imprisonment | Maximum Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cultivation or growing of up to six (6) plants | No penalty | No imprisonment | No fine / $0 |
| Cultivation or growing of up to 12 plants with more than one (1) adult | Petty offense | No imprisonment | No fine / $0 |
| 6+ plants to 2 lbs with a single adult in the residence | Felony | 9 months to 2 years maximum | $150,000 |
| 2 to 4 lbs | Felony | 1.5 years to 3 years maximum | $150,000 |
| 4+ lbs | Felony | 2.5 years to 7 years maximum | $150,000 |
Be aware of these penalties and these regulations – these might just be what could save you in case you’re caught red-handed.
FAQs
Do you have other questions in place that pertain to the legalities of cannabis in the state of Arizona? We did our due diligence and researched the most asked questions about it!
Can You Legally Smoke Weed in Public in Arizona?
No, smoking cannabis or marijuana publicly in the state of Arizona is against their laws. Proposition 207 made it clear that smoking or consuming cannabis must be done in your private residence. Smoking it in public or in the vicinity or at residence licensed as adult day care, healthcare facility, or child care is illegal and punishable by law.
Do You Need a Medical Card to Buy From a Dispensary in Arizona?
No, it is not necessary to have a medical marijuana card in order to buy cannabis from a licensed dispensary in Arizona. If you are at least 21 years old, you’re buying just under the required amount that’s allowed, you’ll be able to buy!
AZ Recreational Allotment Rules
The rules for recreational cannabis in the state of Arizona is not as complex and as complicated as you think. If you are in the state, you are allowed and eligible to have at least one (1) ounce or 28 grams of recreational cannabis at a single time. Moreover, cultivation of up to six (6) plants is allowed – and up to 12 plants if the household has more than one (1) adult.
The Bottom Line
With this article, we’re confident that you now know the answer to the question, is weed legal in Arizona? You wouldn’t be walking around different cities in the state with no information any longer!
If you feel like someone needs this information as much as you do, don’t hesitate to share it to them!
