Cannabis law in Arizona (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Adults aged 21 or over may possess one ounce of marijuana (no more than five grams of concentrate) and grow up to six plants at their primary residence, with 12 per residence. Licensed retail locations operate and smoking marijuana in a public place or open space is a petty offence. A medical marijuana programme with dispensaries is also provided for by statute.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Possession for personal usePersonal use by an adult | Permitted within limits [1] |
| Quantity limitsPersonal use by an adult | Adults aged 21 or over: one ounce or less of marijuana, of which no more than five grams may be marijuana concentrate. [1] |
| Growing at homePersonal use by an adult | Permitted within limits [1] |
| Sale to consumersPersonal use by an adult | Licensed retail stores for adults [2] |
| Use or carrying in public placesPersonal use by an adult | Restricted in some places [3] |
| Medical cannabisPersonal use by an adult | Legal for medical use [4] |
| VisitorsPersonal use by an adult | Not addressed in the source [1] |
| Minimum agePersonal use by an adult | 21 years [1] |
| Purchase limit in licensed shopsPersonal use by an adult | A licensed marijuana establishment may sell or transfer no more than 1 ounce of marijuana to a consumer at a time, of which no more than 5 g may be concentrate. [5] |
| Driving after cannabis usePersonal use by an adult | Driving while impaired to the slightest degree by any drug is an offence. Cannabis metabolites in the body alone are not enough: the driver must also be impaired to the slightest degree. [6] |
Notes
- Possessing more than the allowed amount, up to 2.5 ounces (no more than 12.5 grams of concentrate), is a petty offence (A.R.S. 36-2853). Marijuana remains illegal under federal law, which applies on federal land.
- Plants must be grown in an enclosed area with a lock or other security device that keeps out minors and must not be visible from public view without optical aids. Growing outside these conditions is an offence (A.R.S. 36-2853(D)).
- Sales to consumers take place at the single retail location of a licensed marijuana establishment. Local rules on where stores may operate may differ.
- The statute makes smoking marijuana in a public place or open space a petty offence. Other rules on consumption (for example in vehicles, schools or workplaces) were not checked.
- The medical statute defines qualifying conditions and not-for-profit dispensaries. The Department of Health Services page on current operation could not be read.
- Section 36-2852 applies to individuals aged 21 or over and states no residency condition. Home growing is tied to the individual's primary residence.
Sources
- Arizona State Legislature: A.R.S. 36-2852 - Allowable possession and personal use of marijuana, marijuana products and marijuana paraphernalia (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Arizona State Legislature: A.R.S. 36-2850 - Definitions (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Arizona State Legislature: A.R.S. 36-2853 - Unlawful acts; penalties (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Arizona State Legislature: A.R.S. 36-2801 - Definitions (Arizona Medical Marijuana Act) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Arizona Secretary of State: 9 A.A.C. 18 Adult-use marijuana program, Supp. 24-4 (Internet Archive snapshot of 5 March 2025) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
- Arizona State Legislature: A.R.S. 28-1381 Driving or actual physical control while under the influence (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
National rules that also apply
These rules are set at national level in the United States and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for the United States
| Possession for personal use | Criminal offence (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
|---|---|
| Growing at home | Prohibited (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
| Sale to consumers | Prohibited (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
Arizona and neighbouring states
| State | Possession for personal use | Growing at home | Sale to consumers | Use or carrying in public places | Medical cannabis | Visitors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Legal for adults 21+ within limits | Yes: 6 plants, 12 per residence | Licensed retail stores, 21+ | Smoking banned in public places | Yes: medical programme with dispensaries | Not addressed; no residency condition |
| California | Legal, 21+, within limits | Up to 6 plants, 21+ | Licensed retailers | Not in public places | Yes, physician recommendation | Same 21+ rule, no residency test |
| New Mexico | Legal for adults 21+, within limits | Yes: 12 plants, 6 mature | Licensed retailers | Banned in public spaces | Medical cannabis programme | Source silent on visitors |
| Nevada | Legal for adults 21+, within limits | Yes if no store within 25 miles | State-licensed stores only | Banned in public places | Medical programme (cardholders) | Out-of-state ID accepted |
| Utah | Criminal offence (misdemeanour) | Prohibited | Prohibited (medical pharmacies only) | — | Patients with provider recommendation | — |
More rules in Arizona
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 25 mph (prima facie) · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 65 mph (prima facie)
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (class G licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 (restricted permit); 15½ (standard permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1-3, bicycle rules
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (ground devices only) · Minimum age to buy: 16
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Concealed pocket knife not an offence · Locking or one-handed knives: No separate rule; 'pocket knife' not defined
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $15.15 per hour
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Hands-free allowed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes (secondary enforcement) · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Under 16 only
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 (all alcohol) · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21 (all alcohol)
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: Zero (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.