Medical Marijuana Laws by State
Medical marijuana laws by state vary drastically in their scope and implementation, including the regulation of dispensaries and the types of illnesses treated. Please write to your Senators and let them know how you feel.
Arizona Marijuana Laws
| Legalization: | This state has legalized marijuana for medical use. |
|---|---|
| Law: | Proposition 203 – Passed in 2010 (Medical) |
Possession: 2.5 oz usable, 0-12 plants
Can you use other Legal State Cards: Yes
How The Law Reads:
Ballot Proposition 203 “Arizona Medical Marijuana Act” – Approved Nov. 2, 2010 by 50.13% of voters.
Allows registered qualifying patients (who must have a physician’s written certification that they have been diagnosed with a debilitating condition and that they would likely receive benefit from marijuana) to obtain marijuana from a registered nonprofit dispensary, and to possess and use medical marijuana to treat the condition.
Requires the Arizona Department of Health Services to establish a registration and renewal application system for patients and nonprofit dispensaries. Requires a web-based verification system for law enforcement and dispensaries to verify registry identification cards. Allows certification of a number of dispensaries not to exceed 10% of the number of pharmacies in the state (which would cap the number of dispensaries around 124).
Specifies that a registered patient’s use of medical marijuana is to be considered equivalent to the use of any other medication under the direction of a physician and does not disqualify a patient from medical care, including organ transplants.
Specifies that employers may not discriminate against registered patients unless that employer would lose money or licensing under federal law. Employers also may not penalize registered patients solely for testing positive for marijuana in drug tests, although the law does not authorize patients to use, possess, or be impaired by marijuana on the employment premises or during the hours of employment.
Approved Conditions: Cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, ALS, Crohn’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cachexia or wasting syndrome, severe and chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures (including epilepsy), severe or persistent muscle spasms (including multiple sclerosis).
Possession/Cultivation: Qualified patients or their registered designated caregivers may obtain up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana in a 14-day period from a registered nonprofit medical marijuana dispensary. 2: If the patient lives more than 25 miles from the nearest dispensary, the patient or caregiver may cultivate up to 12 marijuana plants in an enclosed, locked facility.
Editor’s Note: On Apr. 11, 2012, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) announced the revised rules for regulating medical marijuana and set the application dates for May 14 through May 25.
On Nov. 15, 2012, the first dispensary was awarded “approval to operate.” ADHS Director Will Humble stated on his blog that, “[W]e’ll be declining new ‘requests to cultivate’ among new cardholders in most of the metro area because self-grow (12 plants) is only allowed when the patient lives more than 25 miles from the nearest dispensary. The vast majority of the Valley is within 25 miles of this new dispensary.”
On Dec. 6, 2012, the state’s first dispensary, Arizona Organix, opened in Glendale.
Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS)
Medical Marijuana Program
150 North 18th Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Phone: 602-542-1025
Website:
Arizona Medical Marijuana Program
Information provided by the state on sources for medical marijuana:
“Qualifying patients can obtain medical marijuana from a dispensary, the qualifying patient’s designated caregiver, another qualifying patient, or, if authorized to cultivate, from home cultivation. When a qualifying patient obtains or renews a registry identification card, the Department will provide a list of all operating dispensaries to the qualifying patient.”
ADHS, “Qualifying Patients FAQs,” 
(150 KB) Mar. 25, 2010
Patient Registry Fee:
$150 / $75 for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants
Accepts other states’ registry ID cards?
Yes, but does not permit visiting patients to obtain marijuana from an Arizona dispensary
Registration: Mandatory
