Photography by promesaartstudio | Adobe Stock

How far have we come since the Marijuana was introduced in the U.S? Can you believe that in the 1600’s Virginia required farms to grow hemp in the entire state? Since then, it was an open substance available for medical use until its classification of a Schedule I Drug in 1970, which prohibited its use and criminalized the use of the herb. In 2023, the use of cannabis is not legal in all states, not even for medical benefits. We take a look at the legalization of cannabis in Arizona since its recent passing of Proposition 207 in 2020 which granted permission of possession and cultivation recreationally to the Arizona public for individuals 21+.

1996

In 1996, Proposition 200 was introduced to the Arizona Voters after their approval. This allowed physicians to prescribe recommended Schedule I Drugs to patients for certain medical illnesses. The risk of using or possessing cannabis during this proposition would be probation instead of jail time, which was different for Arizona users at the time. Before Proposition 200 passed, anyone who used or possessed marijuana could get jail time due to the Controlled Substances Act, passed federally in 1970.

2002 - 2010

In 2002, a Proposition that would decriminalize the use and possession of marijuana medically to Arizona residents was denied —Proposition 203. This initiative would ensure medical marijuana patients could possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis at a time and possess 2 plants. This ended up passing in December of 2010 and became effective for Arizona residents.

2016 - 2020

In 2016 a proposition was introduced that would legalize the use, possession and cultivation of Marijuana throughout the state of Arizona to anyone 21+. Proposition 207 was voted against and marijuana remained medically legal. November of 2020 was a different story. In 2020, Prop 207 passed and the herb became recreationally legal in the state of Arizona.

To know your rights in Arizona, you are legally allowed to possess, purchase, and transport up to 1 ounce of Marijuana with no more than 5 grams of concentrate at a time if you are 21 years old and up. You are also legally allowed to possess up to 6 plants per individual in a household with a maximum amount of 12 plants total (with a minimum of 2 adults in the household). As an Arizona resident myself, I recommend you use the herb legally and even medically if you can to see the beautiful benefits of mary jane,

Sources:

https://www.azcourts.gov/prop207/Timeline

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/us-cannabis-legislation-timeline-2023/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/health/marijuana-laws-timeline/

Photo Curator: KBR

Agency: Contagion Media

Arizona Cannabis History: The Legalization of Marijuana