What Marijuana Laws Do I Need to Know in Northern Arizona?

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An image of the Arizona state flag blowing in the wind near sunset.

What Marijuana Laws Do I Need to Know in Northern Arizona?

The Arizona state flag during a sunset.

Most people are quite familiar with marijuana. Whether they know someone who has/does use it, has/does use it themselves, have smelled it around the community or have heard about it on an assortment of media platforms, you know what it is. With this level of familiarity, it’s important to be as informed about the laws and possible disciplinary actions. With marijuana laws constantly changing, it’s crucial to be current on the laws and updated on what could happen if you, your friends or loved ones are found with this narcotic.

According to this map by DISA, 10 states have fully legalized the use of medical and recreational marijuana while in 10 other states any use of weed is fully illegal. Arizona’s current status is that marijuana is not decriminalized, or legal, except for medical use.

A map of the united states color coded based on the legality of marijuana in different states.

What are the current medical card laws?

Due to a new law signed at the beginning of June 2019, medical marijuana laws have changed in Arizona. According to the Phoenix New Times, new medical cards issued after August 27 do not expire for two years. Prior to this change, medical marijuana cards were only good for one year at a time. What does this mean for you? Card fees have not changed meaning that you will be paying half the amount you used to be paying. This also means you will not have to go through the renewal process as often, saving you time and money. The expiration date of cards that are currently issued will not be different after the passing of this law. Make sure to keep that in mind when figuring out when to renew your current card.

Another major change to medical marijuana cards is the transition to electronic cards. According to the Phoenix New Times, electronic medical cards will make it easier for people. Without needing to have a physical copy on them, patients will be able to pull up their information electronically when ordering medical marijuana or when questioned by law enforcement.

 

How do I qualify for a medical marijuana card?

According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, patients with the list of these medical conditions may qualify for a medical card:

    • Cancer
    • Glaucoma
    • Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
    • Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
    • Hepatitis C
    • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
    • Crohn’s Disease
    • Agitation of Alzheimer’s disease
    • A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or the treatment for a chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition that causes:
    • Cachexia or wasting syndrome;
    • Severe and chronic pain;
    • Severe nausea;
    • Seizures, including those characteristics of epilepsy;
    • Severe or persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristics of multiple sclerosis

If you do not see your medical condition on the above list but believe that you might be subject to the use of medical marijuana, you may contact your physician and they will assist you with taking the steps needed for possible qualification.

 

What if I don’t have a medical card?

You could be subject to many different disciplinary actions if found with marijuana without a medical card in Northern Arizona. While the medical use of weed is legal, recreational use is not. The chart below by Find Law displays penalties for non-medical marijuana use in the state of Arizona. The information below is taken into consideration when law enforcement is looking at the situation you are in when found with weed.

A chart explaining Arizona Marijuana Penalties.

It is important to remember that while some states have legalized the use of recreational and/or the use of medical marijuana this use is still against the federal law. This means that even if you are in a state that allows recreational marijuana, California for instance, and a federal agent pulls you over, you could be charged with a federal marijuana penalty.

Want to learn more about cannabis laws? Check out our blog, Arizona Cannabis Laws: What’s Legal.

 

 

Dealing with drug charges? Our team of dedicated trial attorneys at Antol & Sherman, PC, have more than 60 years of combined legal experience and a strong track record of providing successful legal counsel. We have been practicing criminal, family and divorce, drug and DUI, and accident law in Flagstaff, Arizona and surrounding northern Arizona cities including Camp Verde, Sedona, Williams, Holbrook, Winslow, Cottonwood, Mayer, Seligman, Kingman, Page, St. Johns and more for over 30 years. Antol & Sherman, PC and their staff of lawyers would love to sit down and discuss your legal needs. Please call us at 928-241-6339, stop in today at Antol & Sherman, PC, 150 N Verde St Suite 102, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 or visit us at flagazlaw.com.

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