Is Weed Legal in Arizona? Cannabis Legalization Guide – 2023

Yes! The great news is that weed is now legal in Arizona.
Anyone over the age of 21 years with a valid qualifying condition can possess medical marijuana for medicinal purposes.

Arizona’s Legislation History!

The voters in 1996 approved medical marijuana through an initiative enabling terminally ill patients to acquire medical cannabis with medical doctors’ prescriptions. However, this provision got overturned because the word “Prescription” conflicted with the federal laws.

Later in 2002, the state again tried decriminalizing medical cannabis but somehow only earned around 42.7% votes. This didn’t fall under the majority voting, and so a viable solution didn’t get approved for 10 years.

In the year 2010, voters passed the Arizona Medical Cannabis Question, which was a much-revised proposition 203. This got passed with a slight margin of 0.13% only, concluding the 50.13% votes in total. However, the final output was still not attained even after proposition 203 approval; the first medical cannabis sale did not occur until December 2012.

The 203 proposition was named after the Arizona Department of Health Services, responsible for creating and implementing Arizona’s Medical Marijuana Program laws. The department sets specific parameters for qualifying patients and their designated caregivers to access the medical cannabis and operating laws for licensed medical dispensaries.

In November 2020, the Smart and Safe Act appeared as a 207 Proposition on the election ballot. The voters legalized in favor of decriminalizing recreational cannabis for adults.

Where Is It Safe To Consume Marijuana in Arizona?

Medical cannabis consumption is safe in private spaces only. The public consumption of the medicine is strictly prohibited.

Where to Purchase Medical Cannabis in Arizona?

Qualified marijuana patients can purchase medical cannabis products from nearby licensed dispensaries. Both qualified patients and designated caregivers can buy cannabis in various forms, including extracts, flowers, topicals, capsules, salves, and edibles.

Cannabis Possession in Arizona

Qualified marijuana patients can acquire up to 28 grams or one ounce of marijuana at a time. Adult patients can purchase up to one ounce of cannabis with not more than 5 grams in concentrate forms. However, recreational users are required to pay 16% of additional taxes on marijuana purchases, and delivery is also not available for the patients.

The qualified patients can buy cannabis that results in acquiring up to 2.5 ounces or 70 grams in a total of 14 days period. And if the patient is unable to purchase on their own, they can also designate a caregiver.

Cannabis Cultivation in Arizona

The state legislature permits the cultivation of 6 plants at home for medicinal purposes only.

And if two or more adults are there in a home, they can cultivate a maximum of 12 marijuana plants in total. The only thing that needs to be taken care of is that the plants must be cultivated out of public view.

Medical Marijuana Registry

The patients or adults younger than 18 years are required to meet specific requirements for approval before being added to the medical marijuana registry.

However, a legal guardian or parent must be designated as a caregiver for minor patients.

Since adult patients are not required to designate a caregiver but they can still designate one if required.

Qualifying Conditions for Obtaining Medical Cannabis Treatment in Arizona

The list of qualifying condition to obtain medical cannabis treatment include:

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Cancer
• Crohn’s Disease
• HIV/ AIDS
• Hepatitis C
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Cachexia
• Severe Nausea
• Chronic pain
• Persistent muscle spasms

The ADHS may add some additional medical conditions to the list that My MMJ Doctor will keep you updated with!

Document Requirement for Obtaining a Medical Card in Arizona!

The patients seeking benefit from the medical cannabis treatment must be 18 years or older to apply for a medical card in Arizona. However, minor patients must seek the following requirements to obtain a medical card in Arizona!

• The patient’s legal guardian or parent must submit a written recommendation from two physicians.

   

• The qualifying patient must be known both the risks and benefits of accessing the treatment so they can always ask the medical doctors.
• The patient’s legal guardian or parents must agree to serve as a designated caregiver and administer the medicine on the patient’s behalf.

The Application Process for Obtaining a Medical Marijuana Card in Arizona!

Getting a medical cannabis card in Arizona is simple and easy. All you need to follow these steps:

Book an Appointment

Book your appointment by filling up an online evaluation form with accurate personal and medical details.

Get Evaluated

The medical marijuana doctor in Arizona will connect back to evaluate the need to access the treatment. The evaluation process will take 10 to 15 minutes only. Feel free to ask questions if you have any!

Receive your Card

Once the medical doctor approves you, you need to register as a patient with the state. The state will review the application and share your medical card to your registered email within 14 days.

Essential to Note!

• A Medical Cannabis Card Arizona is good for two years. To continue taking benefits, you must renew them on time.
• After receiving the applications, the state’s Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS) will revert to the submitted applications within ten days of receiving completed applications.

Caregiving in Arizona

The state law indicates that only a qualified medical marijuana patient can apply for a designated caregiver. However, the registered caregivers must be

• 21 years or older
• A state resident
• And meet all the eligibility requirements before the ADHS approval.

Arizona Reciprocity Laws

Arizona identifies the out-of-state medical cards as offering the same legitimate protections for the patients visiting from other states as those offered to Arizona residents.

However, out-of-state patients may not buy the cannabis products from the state-licensed dispensaries but are permitted to acquire up to 2.5 ounces or 70 grams of usable cannabis.

Bottom Line!

The state has permitted medical cannabis legalization to enhance patients’ quality of life dealing with debilitating medical conditions. However, the patients must acquire a complete piece of information about it.