Possession of any amount of marijuana within the State of Arizona is a crime, except when it is protected by state laws. Patients with qualifying conditions can possess and use marijuana for medical purposes under the Arizona Medical Marijuana Law. If the patient is located more than 25 miles away from a licensed dispensary in the state, home cultivation of medical marijuana is permitted.

Possessing Cannabis in Arizona

Arizona makes cannabis possession charges a felony. Probation may be granted to those convicted of possessing cannabis for personal use. This probation may allow the offender to complete 24 hours of community service. These are some other punishments that these offenders will face.

• Less than 2 pounds = No Fine less than $1,000, up to the entire proceeds of offense and 4 months to 2 Years of Imprisonment
• Between 2 and 4 pounds = No less than $1,000, up to the entire proceeds of offense, and 6 months to 2 1/2 Years of incarceration
• More than 4 pounds = No less than $1,000, up to the full proceeds of the offense and 1 to 3 3/4 year incarceration

Other charges for cannabis possession in Arizona come with severe penalties.

• Knowingly possessing and using any narcotic drug = Fine between $2,000 to 3 times the amount of the involved drug (whichever is greater) and 1 to 3 year imprisonment
• Conviction of possessing narcotic drug for sale = Fine between $2,000 to 3 times the amount of the drugs involved (whichever is greater) and up to 3 to 10 years imprisonment
• Knowingly possessing narcotic drugs manufacturing chemicals, equipment or both = Fine between $2,000 to 3 times the amount of the involved drugs (whichever is greater) and 2 to 7 year imprisonment
• Transportation of narcotic drugs into Arizona = Fine between $2,000 to 3 times the amount of the drug (whichever is greater) and 3 to 10 year imprisonment
• Possessing drugs paraphernalia = A fine between $1,000 and the maximum amount of drug offense proceeds. 4 months to 2 year imprisonment

Cannabis Trafficking

It is a serious crime to traffic cannabis into Arizona. These felonies carry the following penalties:

• Not more than 2 lbs. trafficked into Arizona = Fine between $1,000 and the fine which exhausts any drug proceeds and 2 to 81/2 years in prison – Probation may also be granted which includes 24 hours of community service
• More than 2 lbs trafficked into Arizona = Fine between $1,000 and the fine which exhausts all drug proceeds and 2 to 12 1/2 year imprisonment

Possession of cannabis in medicinal cannabis patients

Arizona Medical Marijuana Law allows approved patients to possess and legally use cannabis for medical purposes. To be eligible for the state’s medical marijuana program, these patients must have a qualifying condition. For more information, see Using Marijuana Arizona.

Arizona’s medical marijuana law allows patients to possess not more than 2 1/2 ounces worth of cannabis.

Laws of selling cannabis in Arizona

Arizona’s law makes it a crime to purchase cannabis from any state-licensed dispensary unless the patient has approved. The following penalties will apply to anyone found guilty of selling or possessing marijuana for the purpose of selling:

• Not more than 2 lbs = A fine between $1,000 and the amount of drug proceeds and 1 to 3 1/2 years in prison – Probation may also be granted. This comes with 240 hours mandatory community service
• Between 2 and 4 pounds = Fine between $1,000, fine which exhausts all drug proceeds, and 2-8 3/4 years in prison
• 4 lb or more = A fine between $1,000 and the maximum amount of drug proceeds and 2 to 12 1/2 year imprisonment

Non-profit state-licensed dispensaries can legally sell and distribute cannabis to patients.

Laws for Growing and Manufacturing Cannabis in Arizona

Non-profit, state-licensed marijuana dispensaries can produce the drug on an un-for-profit basis. If the closest state-licensed marijuana dispensary is 25 miles away from the residences of qualified patients, they may still grow cannabis. Medical cannabis patients can only grow 12 plants at once. They must keep the plant in a locked and enclosed area.

Arizona has penalties for cannabis production and cultivation. These are the penalties:

• Not more than 2 lbs = A fine between $1,000 and the amount of drug proceeds and 6 months to 21/2 years imprisonment – Probation may also be granted. This comes with 240 hours mandatory community service
• Between 2 and 4 pounds = Fine between $1,000, fine which exhausts all drug proceeds, and 1 to 3 1/2 years in prison
• 4 lb or more = A fine between $1,000 and the maximum amount of drug proceeds and 2 to 8 1/2 years in jail
• Manufacturing narcotic drugs = A fine between $2,000 and three times the drug’s value (whichever is greater) and 3 to 10 year imprisonment

The Usage of Cannabis in Arizona

Only those who meet the qualifying conditions are allowed to legally use marijuana in Arizona. To be eligible for the Arizona medical cannabis program, these patients will need to get a recommendation by a doctor. These are the qualifying conditions:

• PTSD
• Nausea
• Hepatitis C
• Crohn’s Disease
• Cancer
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Cachexia (or wasting syndrome)
• Chronic pain
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Permanent Muscle Spasms
• Seizures
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease)

Breaking cannabis laws in Arizona

Sometimes, Arizona courts might not find it necessary to sentence a felon for a felony. The court can change the sentence to a Class 1 misdemeanor conviction, or place the offender under probation. Deferred sentencing is not available to anyone with more than one conviction for a felony or any Class 6 felonies.

For first-time drug offenders, the court will impose a $1,000 minimum fine. For subsequent drug offenders, the court will impose a minimum $1,000 fine. Fines for Class 1 misdemeanors relating to drug offenses cannot exceed $2,500