Arizona Recreational Marijuana & Medical Marijuana Laws
We have the current info on medical marijuana laws, recreational marijuana laws and CBD use laws for Alaska.
Many people wonder about the status of marijuana laws in the state they live in. This page contains information on recreational marijuana law, medical marijuana law and the penalties for breaking them in Arizona. We also talk about the legality of CBD within Arizona and if you should be concerned as a resident of Arizona. Here are other ways you may have found this page on Arizona marijuana and CBD laws:
Arizona Marijuana Laws
The medical marijuana has been legal in Arizona since 2010, when voters approved Proposition 203 to enact the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act (AMMA). The law mandates the Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS) with responsibility for regulating medical marijuana in the state.
Arizona Law on Medical Marijuana
In United States, there are currently 17 states that already legalized the use of medical marijuana. Arizona State was the 15th state to do so by passing Proposition 203 Ballot in 2010, amending Title 36 of the Arizona Revised Laws (ARS) by adding Chapter 28.1 titled “The Arizona Medical Marijuana Code.” According to this law, a person with an affidavit from a physician may apply for registration to qualify for medical marijuana use.
The Arizona Medical Marijuana Law also restricts the cultivation of medical marijuana in certain non-profit dispensaries, which must be approved by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) and follow strict guidelines regarding marijuana production and distribution to registered users.
Arizona Law on Recreational Use
In November 2020, Arizona voters passed the Smart and Safe Act, which legalized recreational cannabis in the state. This law, also known as Proposition 207, made dispensaries legal to sell marijuana to anyone over the age of 21. Previously, a medical marijuana card was required to purchase marijuana from a dispensary in the state. In late January 2021, dispensaries officially received the go-ahead from the Arizona Department of Health Services to sell recreational marijuana. However, while the law now allows adults to purchase and possess cannabis products, there are restrictions, and you can still find yourself needing a criminal defense attorney in a marijuana-related case.
You need to know about the Arizona’s new recreational marijuana laws. Legal and recreational marijuana use is restricted to adults over 21. People under 21 who are found in possession of marijuana without a medical card will face legal consequences. For control of one ounce or less, the first charge would be a civil case with a maximum fine of $100 and a possible penalty for four hours of drug counseling. The second offense is minor, and each additional violation will result in a first-degree misdemeanor charge.
Arizona Law on the Use of CBD Oils
Arizona residents have seen fluctuations in laws regarding CBD for medical and recreational use since Proposition 203, also known as the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act (AMMA), in 2010. Marijuana was spelled out as legal for medical help at the time. However, CBD remained a gray area until the 2018 Farm Act was passed, which legalized hemp-derived CBD as 0.3% or less THC. Now that this law is in place, there is no debate that Farm Bill-compliant CBD is legal in Arizona.
CBD is legal in Arizona, and retailers and dispensaries can stock it. In November 2020, Proposition 207 was passed. This measure made marijuana and the products derived from the cannabis genus legal for adult recreational use. Even CBD with more than 0.3% THC is considered legal in Arizona.
Arizona Marijuana Penalties
Possession under 21 is a civil penalty for the first offense, a minor irritation for a second offense, and a first-degree misdemeanor for the third offense. Use in public places is classified as a petty crime. Possession of more than one ounce for the personal use but less than 2.5 ounces of marijuana is a petty crime punishable by a maximum fine of $300.
Possession of fewer than 2 pounds of marijuana for personal use is a Class 6 felony, punishable by at least six months in prison, a maximum penalty of 1.5 years, and a minimum fine of $1,000 or fine for depleting drug proceeds of crime. In addition, if probation is granted after conviction for this offense, the offender will face a mandatory 24-hour community service sentence.
Arizona Marijuana Laws in relation to the US Federal Government
As stated before, the US federal government still considers marijuana use illegal for United States citizens, immigrants and tourists. While the federal government still calls marijuana an illegal drug, they have left most enforcement of marijuana law to the US States, partly because the federal government has more important things to deal with on a daily basis. This gives Arizona the power to mostly set and enforce its own marijuana laws regarding recreational and medical marijuana usage, possession and distribution.
Arizona Law and other US States
Arizona's marijuana and CBD laws and penalties are unique to Arizona. Other U.S. States have differing laws for the possession, usage and distribution of medical and recreational marijuana, and most states have lenient policies regarding CBD oil. The states that prohibit certain aspects of marijuana also have varying penalties for violation of their laws.
The best thing to do is to be informed and visit our United States marijuana law pages and our individual US state profile pages regarding marijuana and CBD.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.