Arizona cannabis law

Under the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act, medical marijuana patients can purchase up to 2.5 ounces of usable marijuana every two weeks.  Patients can legally possess 2.5 ounces of marijuana or 12.5 grams of cannabis concentrates. Usable marijuana refers to the dried flowers of marijuana plants and any mixtures or preparations. Meanwhile, individuals without a medical marijuana card can only purchase no more than 1 ounce of marijuana or 5 grams of concentrate per transaction.

Patients are not allowed to sell or distribute the medical cannabis that they receive, as this can be only used for treatment. Also, all patients and caregivers must remain updated with the latest purchase and possession limits in Arizona. When purchasing your medical marijuana, you need to hold your medical card.

Personal cultivation:

Registered medical marijuana patients and caregivers are permitted to cultivate up to twelve marijuana plants in their home. However, this is only allowed if their residential address is further than 25 miles from an operating dispensary and cultivation was specifically requested and approved as part of their medical marijuana application. 

Adults aged 21 years or older can cultivate up to 6 plants in their primary residence without needing a medical card. But in a residence where two or more adults live, they can collectively cultivate no more than 12 plants. Personal cultivation must take place in an enclosed area like a closet, greenhouse, or room, equipped with a lock or other security devices.

Commercial cultivation:

The commercial cultivation license in Arizona is obtained by becoming a dispensary. Arizona only has a dispensary license which means it’s not possible to cultivate commercially without owning a dispensary. The location where marijuana is cultivated and prepared for a dispensary is called a cultivation site. 

All cultivation sites must be approved by the Arizona Department of Health Services. It must also occur in an enclosed, locked facility. A dispensary can only acquire its marijuana from its cultivation site or another dispensary’s cultivation site. Dispensaries can also receive maijuana from qualifying patients or caregivers authorized by the Department to cultivate marijuana. There are different types of marijuana cultivation costs:

• Registration cost to become a dispensary: $5000
• License fee to cultivate in Arizona: $7500
• Renewal costs for dispensaries: $1000
• Changing your cultivation site: $2500

In Arizona, the medical marijuana patient can appoint an official caregiver to purchase, possess, and cultivate the state-allowed amount of medical cannabis. The caregiver should have agreed to assist the patient and would be given an Arizona medical marijuana identification card. Caregivers can assist up to five medical marijuana patients at any one time. Also, minor patients can only use their custodial parents or legal guardians to serve as their designated caregivers.

A person must be designated by the medical marijuana patient before applying to the Arizona Department of Health Services. To be registered as a caregiver, a person must: 

• Be 21 years of age or older.
• Have no convictions of violent crimes or crimes involving controlled substances.
• Consent to assist with a patient’s medical marijuana use.

If you are eligible to become a caregiver, you can apply to the ADHS Individual Licensing Portal after the medical marijuana patient has already been registered and approved. Then, you must submit your current photograph, identification documents, Medical Marijuana Caregiver Attestation form and Marijuana Program Fingerprint Verification form. Caregivers must also pay a $200 application fee. 

The main responsibility of a medical marijuana caregiver is to make sure their patient is using cannabis safely. If you become a caregiver, it’s essential to stay updated with the relevant laws in Arizona and obey them. Keep your patient’s documents up to date, especially if you’re assisting a minor or a disabled individual. Respect the confidentiality of the patient’s medical information and avoid selling or consuming the cannabis purchased or cultivated for patients. 

Veterans in Arizona who require medical marijuana treatment due to their physical and mental health condition can apply for a medical marijuana card. Arizona allows veterans to apply and use medical cannabis in the same way other patients can. As long as you apply and meet the qualifying conditions, you can receive medical marijuana treatment as a veteran.

• According to Bill SB1466, veterans in Arizona will be eligible for discounted state medical marijuana fees. Veterans can receive a medical marijuana card for free as long as they provide proof of their veteran status. Meanwhile, the cost for other patients will reduce from $150 to $50. The bill has passed through the Senate 24 to 6.   
• Under federal law, marijuana is considered a Schedule One controlled substance. This is the same stance held by the Department of Veterans Affairs. That means veterans remain entitled to VA benefits despite marijuana use but they cannot use their marijuana on VA grounds or receive recommendations from VA doctors.
• Veterans holding an Arizona medical marijuana card may be unable to receive a firearm. Federal law states that such persons are not allowed to purchase firearms or ammunition. If caught with a gun and you hold an Arizona medical marijuana card, you can face federal prosecution.

At Dr. Weedy, we are dedicated to supporting veterans who require medical marijuana treatment for different qualifying conditions. We are proud to provide exclusive discounts to veterans who apply for a medical marijuana certification, giving them access to affordable care. Click here to learn more about our veteran’s discount program.

Medical marijuana patients in Arizona who are housebound due to an illness or disability can easily access treatment through their caregiver. The caregiver can assist in the purchase, transportation, possession, administration and cultivation of medical marijuana. Dr. Weedy also provides an easy-to-navigate online platform, so it’s convenient for persons with disabilities to receive a medical marijuana card in Arizona.

Our certification process is 100% remote to provide widespread access to medical cannabis treatments. You can receive the physician consultation through telemedicine and complete the application from the comfort of your home. Then, your caregiver can assist with the responsible use of medical cannabis.

A reciprocity program is when a state permits individuals from other states to purchase medical marijuana with their medical card. Arizona allows for medical cannabis reciprocity, which means that out-of-state patients can possess and use cannabis. 

According to the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act, visiting qualifying patients can legally use medical marijuana while in the state. Arizona provides restricted reciprocity, allowing visitors to utilize their out-of-state medical marijuana card, provided it is recognized as a “nonresident card” under Arizona law. This card has the same effect as an Arizona medical marijuana card except that the visiting qualifying patient cannot buy medical marijuana. Visitors must adhere to Arizona’s possession limits as prescribed in Section 36‑2816, regardless of the limits allowed in their home state.

To be considered a visiting qualifying patient, you must:

• Not be a resident of Arizona or have lived in Arizona for less than 30 days.
• Have been diagnosed with a medical condition recognized under the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act.
• Must possess a medical marijuana card or its equivalent in another state. 

States where you can use an Arizona medical marijuana card include:

• Utah
• Maine
• Nevada
• Oklahoma
• Arkansas
• New Hampshire
• The District of Columbia 

Patients in Arizona are often concerned about whether they can receive a medical marijuana card for conditions like chronic pain, PTSD and autism spectrum disorder. The AMMA lists severe and chronic pain caused by a debilitating medical condition as part of its qualifying conditions. Meanwhile, PTSD and ASD have been proposed by the Senate Bill 1466.

• PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental condition that occurs when a patient experiences or witnesses a traumatic event and is yet to recover. This condition presents with symptoms like nightmares, anxiety, and hyperarousal. In Arizona, physicians can offer marijuana treatment for palliative care of PTSD symptoms. But they must submit evidence that the patient is already undergoing conventional treatment for PTSD before signing the physician certification. It is essential to consult a physician in Arizona to determine whether you require medical marijuana treatment for your PTSD diagnosis. 

• Chronic Pain: Severe and chronic pain caused by a debilitating disease or medical condition, or its treatment, is on the list of qualifying conditions. Cannabis can be used to reduce pain and inflammation. If you are experiencing chronic pain, discuss with your physician to check whether cannabis is suitable for you.

• Autism Spectrum Disorder: Currently, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is not recognized as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana under Arizona law. However, individuals 21 years or older may access recreational marijuana. For those with autism, some associated symptoms, such as seizures, may qualify for treatment with medical marijuana if they align with existing qualifying conditions.
  There is ongoing legislative interest in expanding access—Senate Bill 1466 proposes including Autism Spectrum Disorder as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana use in Arizona. If passed, this could provide more options for individuals seeking relief from symptoms related to ASD.

Medical marijuana patients in Arizona are protected against any discrimination in the workplace under the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act (AMMA). According to the AMMA, employers are prohibited from discriminating against medical marijuana cardholders in hiring, termination, or promotions unless complying with this protection would result in the employer losing monetary or licensing-related benefits under federal law. Employers also cannot penalize cardholders solely for their marijuana use outside of work. 

Employee’s with a positive drug test for marijuana cannot be discriminated against if they own a medical marijuana card, except in cases where the employee used or possessed marijuana, or was impaired by it, during work hours. 

Although the AMMA provides protections for medical marijuana cardholders, it does not mandate that employers must allow the use of marijuana in the workplace.