Arizona Medical Marijuana Laws

Arizona Medical Marijuana Laws

Examining Laws That Affect Medical Marijuana in Arizona 

In Arizona, citizens can purchase medical marijuana if a doctor approves their use of medical marijuana. During 2010, the state's legislators approved the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act, and this important statute ensures that patients can possess 2.5 ounces of marijuana. The Arizona Department of Health Services may also examine companies that produce medical marijuana, sell the products, educate customers, and cultivate the plants.  Read on to learn more about Arizona medical marijuana laws, requirements and rules.

Evaluating the Number of Customers and Increasing the Availability of Medical Marijuana

Throughout Arizona, more than 225,000 individuals have medical marijuana cards, and some experts have suggested that the number of cards could increase by more than 15 percent. Currently, 120 dispensariessell medical marijuana in Arizona. During the last 10 years, the Arizona Department of Health Services offered licenses that allow the dispensaries to provide medical marijuana, but the companies must follow specific guidelines that can optimize safety, improve the quality of the products and prevent contamination.

Many organizations also recommend specific guidelines that could stimulate the growth of plants, improve the overall health of plants, and increase the levels of beneficial alkaloids. If a company optimizes the health of each plant, the medical marijuana could contain higher levels of cannabinoids, creating a vast variety of high-quality medical marijuana.

Examining the AZ Medical Marijuana Statute

Once an individual receives a medical marijuana card, the citizen can purchase up to 2.5 ounces of medical marijuana within two weeks. The patient can buy the medical marijuana if the medical marijuana card remains valid.  

Many individuals are supporting a new initiative that could quickly legalize marijuana in Arizona. If voters approve the legalization of marijuana, citizens may be able to purchase  medical marijuana, and many licensed businesses could sell medical marijuana, cultivate numerous types of plants, offer tinctures and extracts.

Cultivating Plants and Improving the Quality of Medical Marijuana

A qualifying patient or the qualifying patient’s designated caregiver may be approved by AZDHS to cultivate medical marijuana if the qualifying patient lives more than 25 miles from the nearest dispensary.

A highly supported ballot initiative known as the Smart and Safe Arizona Act, if passed, would permit an individual to cultivate no more than six plants at the individual’s primary residence. If approved, it would allow for no more than 12 plants to be cultivated at the primary residence where two or more individuals are over the age of 21 reside.

Receiving a Medical Marijuana Card

Throughout Arizona, some doctors can provide certifications for patients who suffer from specific medical conditions, and medical marijuana has been approved for use for those who experience chronic pain, glaucoma, severe nausea, seizures or muscle spasms. If a person is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, an approved may be able to provide a certification.

Renewing the Card

When an individual renews an Arizona medical marijuana card, the person must submit a physician's certification, various forms, a photograph, and a copy of an identification card. If applicable, the person can also provide documents that indicate the individual's eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Once the applicant contacts a doctor, the physician may reduce the fees that are associated with the application. 

Typically, the application has a price of $150, yet if an individual is eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the application's cost may not exceed $75.

Learn more about AZ MMJ Card renewals here or visit one of our Harvest House of Medical Marijuana dispensaries in Arizona like Avondale, Baseline, Casa Grande,  Chandler dispensary, Cottonwood, Glendale, Havasu, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe dispensary,  and our Tucson dispensary.