While medical cannabis is legal in Arizona, the recreational use, possession, or cultivation of cannabis can subject you to some of harshest laws in the country. A ballot measure that would have legalized recreational cannabis for adults 21 and older was presented to voters in November 2016, but the initiative failed to pass with 52 percent in opposition.
CBD from Hemp Oil in Arizona
Hemp CBD oil is federally legal in the U.S. Individual state laws, however, are dynamic and some states have and will enact their own laws regulating hemp-derived CBD.
Medical Cannabis in Arizona
Medical cannabis was legalized in Arizona after voters approved the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act in November 2010. Under the law, patients with a “written certification” from a physician are allowed to use and possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana in a 14-day period. Qualified patients should keep their medical marijuana cards on hand at all times.
Qualifying conditions for medical cannabis under Measure 2 are as follows:
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome
- Cancer
- Crohn’s Disease
- Glaucoma
- Hepatitis C
- HIV or AIDS
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Seizures (including Epilepsy)
- Severe and Chronic Pain
- Severe or Persistent Muscle Spasms (including Multiple Sclerosis)
- Severe Nausea
You can find the Arizona Department of Health Services Medical Marijuana Program website here.
Recreational Cannabis in Arizona
Arizona has some of the strictest recreational cannabis laws in the United States. The possession, sale, cultivation, and trafficking of cannabis are susceptible to a felony conviction. The possession of less than 2 pounds for personal use is a Class 6 felony, punishable by a minimum sentence of 4 months to 2 years and a minimum fine of $1,000. Possession for personal use of 2 to 4 pounds of marijuana is a Class 5 felony and is punishable by a sentence of 6 months to 2.5 years, and a minimum fine of $1000.
Cultivation of Cannabis in Arizona
Cultivation of cannabis for recreational use or research purposes is strictly prohibited in Arizona. Registered medical marijuana patients or designated caregivers that don’t live within 25 miles from a dispensary are allowed to cultivate up to 12 marijuana plants in an enclosed, locked facility.
Resources:
- http://edition.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/11/14/arizona.medical.marijuana/
- http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000881#
