On November 3rd, Arizona voted on a bill to legalize recreational marijuana titled Proposition 207, spearheaded by Smart and Safe Arizona. Now, with 85% of precincts reporting, The Associated Press and CNN project Proposition 207 will pass, legalizing recreational cannabis in the state of Arizona.
Here are the key components of Arizona’s recreational cannabis initiative:
- It will legalize possession of up to one ounce of marijuana for adults 21 years and older.
- Those found with more than one ounce but less than 2.5 ounces will be charged with petty offense if over 21 years of age and charged a $100 fine and drug counseling on first offense if a minor.
- Those 21 years and older will be able to cultivate up to six plants at home (but no more than 12 permitted in homes containing more than one adult.)
- The Arizona Department of Health Services will be in charge of licensing and regulating cannabis businesses and testing facilities. (This is the same group that is currently in charge of the state’s medical marijuana program.)
- Retail cannabis will be subject to a 16% excise tax on top of the regular state sales tax.
- Those with prior marijuana convictions will have the ability to have their criminal record expunged.
The bill will take effect immediately, according to Arizona’s constitution. However, The Arizona Department of Health Services is not required to start licensing recreational marijuana dispensaries until January, 2021, so it could be a few months before recreational cannabis is available in the state.