History

Ballot proposition 203, the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act, was approved by 50.13% of voters on November 2, 2010. The law allows for registered qualifying patients to obtain cannabis from a registered non-profit dispensary, to cultivate one's own medicine if the individual lives outside of a 25 mile radius of the dispensary, and to possess and use medical marijuana to treat medical conditions. Patients may have up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana in a 14 day period and cultivate up to 12 cannabis plants in an enclosed locked facility if the patient lives in the appropriate area.

Qualifying conditions include Cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, ALS, Crohn's Disease, Agitation of Alzheimer's Disease or treatment of these conditions. Chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or its treatment that produces cachexia, fever & chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures or severe & persistent muscle spasms.

The law states that employers may not discriminate against registered patients unless that employer would lose money or licensing under federal law. Employers also may not penalize registered patients solely for testing positive for cannabis in drug tests. However, the law does not authorize patients to use, possess, or be impaired by cannabis on the employment premises during the hours of employment.

A mandatory state registry will be established for patients and caregivers.

Arizona does not grant reciprocity to out of state patients or caregivers.