For the past decade, cannabis laws outlawing it from being consumed, grown, and sold have been rescinded in almost 31 states. Whether a state reaches legalization or it is still under a medical marijuana program, consumption is higher than it’s ever been, and the industry is going to pass $73 billion by 2027. Even with many laws restricting its movement, consumptions, purchase, and possession, the industry is doing well and shows no sign of slowing down.
Unlike its neighbor to the North, Arizona has stringent laws about marijuana. The state does not allow marijuana to be used recreationally. Still, it does have a medical marijuana program, so if a person wants to consume it, they will have to get a prescription from a doctor, and you must have a debilitating qualifying disease as well. If you don’t, but you do have another illness, you can petition the doctor to get approval for your license. Without a prescription, they could be fined and possibly jailed. However, if you do not live within 25 miles of a dispensary, but you do have a doctor’s prescription, a person can grow 12 plants as long as the plants will be used for their own personal consumption. But the plants must be grown in an enclosed space, like a greenhouse. Your plants cannot be grown in the open air or outside. If they purchase it from a dispensary, they are only allowed to buy 2.5 ounces of cannabis per week.
But what are the rules of distribution companies in Arizona regarding cannabis?
According to federal law, cannabis cannot travel over state lines by any entity; Not by individuals, growers, distributors, and dispensaries. Marijuana can only move around within the state. If someone is found transporting cannabis across state lines, even if it is to a state where it is legal, they can incur severe fines and a few years in prison. A company can also lose its operating license. Cannabis cannot even travel from one legalized state to another. This law directly impacts distribution companies because it limits their travel and limits the potential growers and dispensaries they could have partnered with that are located in the next state.
If you want to start a distribution company in Arizona, you must pass all of the licenses and follow the regulations put forth by the state legislature. You can only sell to businesses whose owners are over 21. When your distribution company sells to dispensaries, they must pass their own licensing requirements. If they don’t have their license, and you are found to be selling to them, there will be adverse consequences for your company. You could possibly lose your license. It will not matter if they lied to your company and forget their license. Arizona takes cannabis law very seriously. All distribution companies, growers, and dispensaries must report to the state when they are first created and every year after.
In conclusion
Under the current laws in Arizona, cannabis is very limited and cannot be consumed for recreational purposes. And if you try to get marijuana from a doctor, you have to have the right diseases. The bill that would have legalized the industry was voted against, but with only a 53% veto rate. Perhaps in the next couple of years, we will see that number flip and the bill will pass. Once it passes, the state will see their cannabis industry grow like never before. And after the federal government finally removes the restrictions, then distribution companies will scramble to get more dispensaries and growers as their clients.