What are Medical Marijuana Laws in Arizona? (Updated – 2025)

The legality of Cannabis in Arizona!

Now 21 years of age or older are allowed to use, smoke, ingest or consume cannabis products and can possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana or cannabis or 0.85 ounces of concentrated marijuana. As of December 2021, New York state has 3,455 health practitioners and 151,284 patients.

Medical Marijuana and Related Laws!

Who Qualifies for Medical Marijuana?

Medical marijuana can only be accessed by patients suffering from high-risk health concerns. A complete list of health issues exists that makes an individual qualified for getting medical marijuana. Following are major health issues: Alzheimer’s, Wasting syndrome, Terminal pain, Glaucoma, HIV, Muscle spasms, Seizures, Cancer, PTSD, Nausea, and Hepatitis C. If any patient is diagnosed with the above-mentioned medical issues, they qualify for medical marijuana. A licensed doctor or a physician carries out the evaluation.

Possession Limits

Cultivating Marijuana

Taxation

Reciprocity

Recreational marijuana is subjected to hefty taxes. Individuals pay 16 percent tax in addition to the local and state taxes. While on the other hand, medical marijuana users are free from the payment of excise tax. Thus, medical marijuana cardholders pay 8 percent of tariffs on each purchase. The eight percent is the part of local and state taxes.

Driving

Public Intake

Caregiving

Proximity To A Patient

Medical Marijuana Card Expiration

The medical marijuana cards in Arizona are valid for two years. Prior to its expiration, it is suggested that the individuals must renew it. For this purpose, individuals need to attend another doctor’s visit to get an updated recommendation and pay another fee. The renewal charges are less than the initial costs for obtaining a medical marijuana card. On the other hand, if an individual does not renew their medical marijuana card, they have to commence the overall process of getting a card again. Thus, to save time, it is best to renew your medical marijuana card on time. Arizona State also required state registration for medical cannabis card which is valid for 2 years.

Workplace and Medical Marijuana

Penalties for Violation

Personal use

• Though the recreational use of marijuana is legalized, the state observes some strict rules regarding its possession. Following are the major possession rules:
• If an individual holds more than one ounce but below 2.5 ounces, they will be held for a minor offense. A maximum fine of $300 is imposed.
• Holding less than two pounds of marijuana (for personal use) is a Class 6 felony. The individuals are subject to a fine of $1000 or the amount that exhausts the drug offense. The imprisonment of 1.5 years is also imposed. In case probation is received, the offender has to serve a mandatory sentence of 24 hours as a part of community service.
• If an individual is caught holding 2-4 pounds of marijuana, they are accountable under the law. Hence, it will be observed as a Class 5 felony, and individuals need to serve imprisonment ranging from 9 months to 2 years. If the probation is granted, the offender has to serve 24 hours mandatory sentence as a part of community service. In addition, they have to forfeit the proceeds from the drug violation by paying a minimum fine of $1000.
• Holding more than four pounds of marijuana is regarded as a Class 4 felony, leading to the imprisonment of a minimum of 1.5 years and a maximum of 3 years. If probation is received earlier, the offender has to serve 24 hours of a required sentence as a part of community service. Furthermore, a fine of $1000 or the amount to exhaust the proceeds of the drug offense is also imposed.

Cultivation

Growing marijuana for personal or recreational purposes is called a Felony in Arizona and is punishable by law. Following are the cultivation-related penalties:

• If an individual grows more than six plants and up to 2 pounds of marijuana, they are punished under a Class 5 felony. Thus, they have to face imprisonment of a minimum of 9 months and a maximum of 2 years. In case probation is granted, the offender has to serve a mandatory sentence of 240 hours as a part of community service. Additionally, a minimal fine of $1000 or the penalty for proceeds of a drug offense.
• Furthermore, cultivating marijuana between 2 to 4 pounds is regarded as a Class 4 felony. Individuals may have to face imprisonment of a minimum of 1.5 years and a maximum of 3 years. Moreover, a fine of a minimum of $1000 or a penalty for the drug offense is imposed.
• Cultivating more than 4 pounds of marijuana is a Class 3 felony. For this, the offender has to serve a minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 7 years imprisonment. Along with this, a fine of a minimum of $1000 or the penalty to exhaust the proceeds of the drug offense is imposed.

Holding Hash and other Concentrates

In Arizona, Hash and other related substances are categorized as “Narcotic Drugs”; thus, such possession is punishable by law. Following are the penalties related to it:

• If any individual intentionally holds five grams of narcotic drugs, they may face a minimum penalty of $2000 and three years imprisonment as a Class 4 felony. The fine may change depending on the decision taken by the court.
• If an individual holds (knowingly) a narcotic drug for sale, it will be categorized as a Class 2 felony. Hence, as a result, they are likely to face imprisonment for a minimum of 4 years which may range to 10 years. Additionally, a fine of (not less than) $2000 or three times the amount decided by the court, whichever is higher.
• If an individual knowingly holds any chemical, equipment, or both, as a means to manufacture the narcotic drug, it will be regarded as a Class 3 felony. Under this, the accused is punishable by minimal imprisonment of 2.5 years, ranging to a maximum of 7 years. Furthermore, a fine of $2000 or three times the value decided by the judiciary of narcotic drugs, whichever is higher.
• Transportation of narcotic drugs in the state is a Class 2 felony and punishable offense. For this, the individual will have to suffer an imprisonment of a minimum of 4 years and a maximum of 10 years. Moreover, a fine of not less than $2000 or three times the amount decided by the narcotic drugs court, whichever is higher.

Bottom Line!