Medical vs. Recreational Marijuana in Arizona

Related

• How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Arizona
• Requirements & Qualifying Conditions for a Medical Card in Arizona
• About the Arizona Medical Marijuana Program (AZDHS)

Arizona Recreational Marijuana

Arizona is one of 15 states to legalize adult recreational use of marijuana. Arizona legalized cannabis for adult use in 2020 through Proposition 207, the Smart and Safe Act. As a result, the law allows adults 21 and over to legally buy, possess, and consume cannabis from licensed dispensaries. Additionally, residents can lawfully grow their own plants at home.

Still, there are some restrictions and regulations that come with recreational weed use in AZ, for example:

Adults can only buy up to 1 ounce of marijuana per transaction, with no more than 5 grams of concentrates or extracts.
Recreational users can only grow up to 6 plants per person or 12 plants per household.

Furthermore, recreational cannabis in AZ is subject to an extra 16% excise tax, besides regular sales taxes.
Adult users cannot smoke in public or drive under the influence of cannabis.
Also, it is worth noting that recreational users have no protection from employment discrimination based on their marijuana use.

Below is a brief overview of medical vs. recreational marijuana in Arizona:

• Medical marijuana is available for patients of any age with a qualifying condition and a state-issued medical card, while recreational marijuana is only legal for adults 21 and over with a valid ID.
• Medical patients can buy more marijuana (up to 2.5 ounces every two weeks) compared to recreational buyers (up to 1 ounce per transaction).
• Medical marijuana is subject to less tax (only 5.6% sales tax) than recreational marijuana (an extra 16% excise tax on top of the sales tax).
• Cardholders can grow up to 12 plants at home if they live more than 25 miles from a dispensary, while recreational customers can grow up to 6 plants per person or 12 plants per household, regardless of their distance from a dispensary.
• Medical marijuana patients have access to weed delivery services in Arizona, while recreational customers can only get their cannabis in person at dispensaries.
• Employment protections exist for medical marijuana users unless impaired at work, while recreational customers have no such protection and can get fired for testing positive for marijuana.

Reasons to Get a Medical Card in AZ

If you need marijuana for your health, then a medical card can offer financial, legal, and healthcare benefits.

Here are some reasons why getting a medical card is a good idea:

• Cheaper marijuana
• Increased limits
• Greater potency
• More plants to grow
• Lower age limits
• Legal protection

1. The Price Difference between Medical and Recreational

Did you know there’s a significant price difference between medical and recreational marijuana in Arizona?  Choosing medical over recreational cannabis in Arizona could save you hundreds, even thousands, of dollars. Medical marijuana is cheaper, taxed less, and often comes with extra dispensary perks.

How significant is the price difference between medical and recreational marijuana? The average price for an ounce of high-quality medical marijuana in Arizona is $296.62. Meanwhile, the average price for an ounce of high-quality recreational marijuana is $350.00. That’s a difference of $53.38 per ounce. 

Also, Medical marijuana is only subject to the state sales tax of 5.6%. Yet recreational marijuana is subject to an additional excise tax of 16%. So, with your med card, you pay less tax on your purchases than recreational users.

How much money can you save with an Arizona medical card? If you buy an ounce of high-quality cannabis every month for a year and you are a medical user, you will spend around $3,758.76 ($313.23 x 12). On the other hand, a recreational user will pay $5,107.20 ($425.60 x 12). That’s a difference of $1,348.44 per year! That’s enough money to buy four more ounces of medical marijuana.

Taking advantage of this price difference is as simple as getting a medical card. By doing so, you can enjoy substantial financial relief through lower Arizona weed tax rates.

2. Greater Possession & Purchase Limits: Allotment Rules in AZ

There is a notable difference between the amount of cannabis medical card holders and recreational users can buy and possess in Arizona. The AZ recreational allotment is limited to only one ounce per transaction. Meanwhile, the MMJ allotment is up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis every two weeks. 

For patients who need larger quantities of cannabis for their treatment, the expanded purchase and possession limit allows them to maintain their treatment regimen without unnecessary restrictions.

3. Medical vs. Recreational Potency

Many might be wondering ‘Is medical marijuana stronger than recreational?’ The short answer is yes. 

Medical cannabis users can access products specifically designed to treat their medical conditions. Additionally, medical cannabis is more potent than its recreational counterpart, as it can alleviate various illnesses and ailments. 

The wide range of personalized options underscores the focus of medical marijuana on individual healing journeys. All in all, medical cannabis offers a more potent, tailored approach to healing when compared to recreational weed.

4. Grow More Cannabis at Home: Arizona Prop 207 Growing Rules

If you’re considering cultivating marijuana for personal use in Arizona, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the Arizona Prop 207 growing rules allow recreational users to cultivate up to six plants. However, with an Arizona medical marijuana card, you’re allowed to grow twice as many, up to twelve plants. 

While this difference may seem small, it can benefit medical users significantly. With the ability to grow more plants, medical users can fine-tune their cultivation preferences to align with their medical needs. Plus, the additional plants provide an extra layer of security for those who rely on marijuana to manage their symptoms.

5. Lower Age Limits: Legal Age for Marijuana

Did you know there are different age requirements for medical and recreational cannabis users in Arizona? Qualifying minors and adults below 21 can get medicinal cannabis treatment with a valid AZ medical card. However, recreational users must wait until they are 21 or older. 

But why would someone get a medical card rather than wait until they are old enough for recreational use? The reason is simple. Medical marijuana can offer specific benefits for individuals with certain medical conditions and is often available in more potent forms than recreational cannabis.

6. Legal Protection: Arizona Marijuana Laws

One of the most significant advantages of a medical card is the additional legal protections that recreational users may not have. The Arizona medical marijuana laws protect cardholders from employment discrimination. On the other hand, recreational users risk termination if they test positive for cannabis.

Still, medical cannabis users cannot rely on this protection if they possess, use, or are under the influence of marijuana while at work.

The Easiest Way to Get a Medical Card in Arizona

If you want to reap the benefits of medical marijuana, follow these steps to get an Arizona medical card: 

1. Click the button and complete our patient questionnaire.
2. Select a time for your appointment with the doctor.
3. See the physician to become certified for medical marijuana.

Quick Med Cards is the cheapest and easiest way to get your Arizona medical marijuana card. With our fast service and convenient telemedicine consultations (appointments over a video call), you’ll be certified for medical marijuana in minutes.