Arizona Cannabis Possession & DUI Rules

Last verified: April 2026

Adult-Use Possession Limits (21+)

• 1 ounce of flower, with no more than 5 grams of concentrate.
• 6 plants per adult, 12 per household (home cultivation), enclosed and not visible to the public.
• Visitors and out-of-state residents have the same possession rights as Arizonans.

Medical AMMA Possession Limits (18+ with card)

• 2.5 ounces per 14-day period.
• Cardholders may grow 12 plants only if they live more than 25 miles from the nearest dispensary.
• AMMA cardholders pay only the 5.6% Transaction Privilege Tax (no 16% excise) at the counter.

Public Consumption

Public consumption of cannabis — smoking, vaping, dabbing, or "open" use of edibles in some interpretations — is illegal under the Smoke-Free Arizona Act. First-offense fines run up to $500. Cannabis-friendly hotels are scarce; the Clarendon Hotel in central Phoenix is the only adult-only cannabis-friendly hotel in metro Phoenix per Visit Phoenix.

Where consumption is permitted: a private residence with the owner’s permission, or the very limited cannabis-friendly hospitality footprint. Where it is not: public sidewalks, restaurants, bars, parks, beaches and lakes (Tempe Town Lake, Saguaro Lake, Lake Pleasant), trails, ASU and community college campuses, hotel pool decks, rideshare vehicles, rental cars, federal buildings, federal land, military bases, tribal casinos, and Sky Harbor airport.

DUI — Zero Margin

Arizona is an "any detectable amount" state for THC and DUI for licensed drivers. Under A.R.S. §28-1381(A)(3), driving with any detectable concentration of THC or its metabolites in your blood while in actual physical control of a motor vehicle is a misdemeanor — regardless of impairment.

This is a serious problem because THC metabolites can remain detectable in blood for days to weeks after consumption, depending on frequency and body composition. A regular cannabis user is functionally always above the detection threshold, even when fully sober. Note: AMMA medical patients have a partial defense (impairment must be shown to convict), but this is a defense, not protection from arrest.

Driving With Cannabis in the Vehicle

Driving with cannabis is permissible only if the product is sealed and inaccessible. Treat it like an open container of liquor: better in the trunk, never in the cab in plain view of the driver, never in summer heat (interior reaches 140–180°F).

Penalties for Excess or Under-21 Possession

For adults 21+ exceeding the 1-ounce limit: amounts above 1 oz but under 2.5 oz are typically charged as a petty offense (civil fine). Above 2.5 oz can be charged as a Class 6 felony (the lowest felony class), though prosecution discretion varies.

For under-21 possession: under 1 oz is a $100 petty offense first time, escalating to a Class 1 misdemeanor on the third offense. Many ASU and community-college students fall into this gap (under-21 students cannot legally possess off-campus even though their 21+ peers can; medical AMMA cards do not protect against ASU disciplinary action regardless).

Distribution, Sale, and Trafficking

Selling cannabis without an ADHS license remains a felony in Arizona under A.R.S. §13-3405 — ranging from Class 6 (small amounts) up to Class 2 (over 2 lb, or with intent to distribute, or to a minor). Prop 207 did not legalize unlicensed sales. The fact that California, Oklahoma, or Massachusetts allow microbusiness or licensed home-grow sales is irrelevant in Arizona.

Workplace Implications

A.R.S. §36-2851 explicitly preserves employer drug-free workplace policies. Federal contractors (including Intel under the CHIPS Act, Honeywell, Boeing Mesa, Lockheed F-35 sustainment at Luke, Northrop Chandler/Gilbert, Raytheon, Microchip’s defense work) require drug-free workplaces under the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act — a positive THC test is typically a security-clearance loss and a termination. AMMA card protections do not apply to federal contractors.

See our Federal Contractors page for a full breakdown of East Valley defense-tech employment realities.