Can I Legally Grow Marijuana in Arizona?
The New Arizona Laws Regarding Marijuana
Arizona laws pertaining to marijuana are changing. The results of the most recent election made big changes to the laws concerning growing medical marijuana and marijuana usage in general.
Keeping up with the new laws is essential if you’re planning to use marijuana more moving forward or perhaps considering growing your own plants at home. We’ll be discussing the most notable changes here.
Stay on top of the new marijuana laws to steer clear of trouble while simultaneously exploring the new opportunities available to you.
The Passage of Proposition 207 and Its Impact on Arizona’s Marijuana Laws
Residents of Arizona voted on changes to marijuana laws in the most recent general election. They were given the chance to do that by either voting “yes” or “no” to Proposition 207.
After tabulating the results, Arizona officially certified the passage of Proposition 207. The passage of Proposition 207 brings sweeping changes to the laws that were previously on the books.
Generally speaking, the laws regarding the usage and cultivation of marijuana have eased significantly. Let’s discuss those changes in greater detail below.
Who Can Use Marijuana in the State of Arizona?
The passage of Proposition 207 means that more Arizona residents are now eligible to use marijuana in the state. Previously, only individuals who had an Arizona medical cannabis card could use marijuana.
The new laws now expand that to include all adults over the age of twenty-one. Notably, those under the age of twenty-one still need to be medically qualified before they can purchase or use marijuana.
Adults over the age of twenty-one can purchase no more than one ounce of marijuana at a time. For medical marijuana users, the limit is no more than 2.5 ounces purchased throughout fourteen days.
Are There Restrictions on Adult Marijuana Usage?
While the state of Arizona is now more accommodating to marijuana users, there are still certain restrictions in place designed to protect public safety.
For example, residents are still not allowed to drive after using marijuana. That could be a DUI violation, and you could find yourself in serious trouble if you ignore that rule.
Users are also not allowed to smoke marijuana in public. Stay at home if you wish to partake in marijuana usage.
Marijuana Cultivation for Adults
The laws governing the growing of marijuana have changed quite a bit thanks to the passage of Proposition 207. Adults over the age of twenty-one now have more freedom in that regard.
Per the new laws, adults over the age of twenty-one can grow their own marijuana plants. An adult is limited to growing no more than six marijuana plants inside their home. If two or more eligible adults are living in your home, you can grow twelve marijuana plants but no more than that.
Another important thing to note here is that you must choose an appropriate place to grow the marijuana plants before proceeding with cultivation. You cannot grow the plants anywhere.
Cultivators must grow the marijuana plants inside an enclosed space such as a room or closet that is adequately secured. The growing space for marijuana plants must not be accessible to any minors.
Medical Marijuana Cultivation
Medical marijuana patients and caregivers can grow marijuana plants at home if they live a certain distance away from the dispensary. More specifically, medical marijuana patients and caregivers can grow their plants if they live 25 miles or more away from a dispensary.
Individuals cultivating marijuana for medical use can grow up to twelve plants.
Can You Sell the Marijuana Plants You’re Growing at Home?
The state of Arizona still does not allow individuals to sell marijuana plants they grow at home. You cannot pick up a plant and sell it to a friend whenever you like. Doing so could lead to you being charged with a crime and receiving penalties.
If you are interested in selling marijuana, you need to register as a marijuana establishment first.
What Is a Marijuana Establishment?
A marijuana establishment is an entity recognized by the state of Arizona as a retail location that can legally sell and cultivate marijuana. To be more specific, the licensee present at that establishment is permitted to sell marijuana and other marijuana products to adults over the age of twenty-one.
Individuals who want to become licensees for marijuana establishments can get to work now on preparing their applications. Early applications for marijuana establishments will be accepted from Jan. 19, 2021, up to March 9 of the same year.
Interested licensees must meet certain criteria.
The prospective licensee must first be looking to get established in a county currently being served by fewer than two non-profit medical marijuana dispensaries.
Non-profit medical marijuana dispensaries can also apply to become a marijuana establishment. To get their application granted, the dispensary must be registered and have no outstanding issues with the Arizona Department of Health Services.
What Happens if a Non-Profit Medical Marijuana Dispensary Is Allowed to Operate as a Marijuana Establishment?
We noted above that non-profit medical marijuana dispensaries can also apply to operate as marijuana establishments. What exactly will applying for that additional designation mean?
Upon being granted a license to operate as a marijuana establishment, a medical marijuana dispensary will be allowed to cater to more people. The establishment can continue to provide marijuana to qualified patients. At the same time, the establishment will also be allowed to sell marijuana to adults over the legal age.
Can Marijuana Usage Affect an Individual’s Employment Status?
Whether or not you will be allowed to use marijuana at your workplace will depend on your employer. Employers are still allowed by law to keep marijuana out of their offices, and you will need to comply as an employee.
It is worth noting that qualified medical marijuana users can be an exception to that rule. Talk to a lawyer if you wish to learn more about potential medical marijuana usage in the workplace.
Proposition 207 is easing the restrictions the state of Arizona used to have on marijuana usage and cultivation. Hopefully, you are now more aware of what you can legally do with regards to marijuana.
If you believe that you are being wrongfully accused of committing a crime involving marijuana, contact us at the Schill Law Group right away. We’ll prove your innocence and get you fair compensation for being subjected to that ordeal needlessly.