Arizona is now one of many states, such as Washington, Oregon and Colorado, selling adult recreational marijuana products. This comes less than three months after residents voted in the measure. As of now, seventy-three dispensaires have been given permission to sell recreational marijuana to adults in Arizona. According to Marijuana Business Daily, what we can expect to see is the marijuana recreational market sales increase up to $400 million in its first year and $760 million by 2024. The tax on recreational marijuana in Arizona is 16 percent, providing a good income for the state.
Recently, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) shared a full list with Marijuana Business Daily of those dispensaries that are allowed to sell recreational marijuana. As of now, the ADHS has received seventy-nine applications, Some are still under review. As we await new dispensaires to open, ADHS has approved existing medical marijuana dispensaries in fifteen counties to sell recreational marijuana. The marijuana operator, Harvest & Health Recreation, had its first sale of recreational marijuana at its Scottsdale location. The company runs fifteen dispensaries throughout Arizona. According to Harvest CEO Steve White, the move to recreational sales happened fast. In fact, it was only fifty-four days after the election certification that sales began. This is “the fastest launch to date in history,” White said.
Curaleaf Holdings, a multistate marijuana operator, has also launched recreational marijuana sales in Arizona and expects to open its ninth location soon, as well as hire one hundred more employees to meet demand. “In anticipation of customer demand, the company expects to increase its current team of 420 employees by 120 new hires in the immediate future,” Curaleaf said in a news release. In fact, the new measure could see many jobs created in the industry as more dispensaries open up.
The vote for adult-based medical marijuana was on the ballot in November 2020 and Arizonians approved it after having voted against it just four years ago. Medical marijuana has been legal in the state for the past decade. However, this doesn’t mean that medical marijuana dispensaries can just start selling recreational marijuana. In fact, at this time, only 130 medical marijuana licenses can apply for a recreational license. This number is then capped at one license for every ten registered dispensaries. There are, however, an additional twenty-six licenses being given out as social equity permits. This measure is meant to promote marijuana business ownership among those “individuals from communities disproportionately impacted by the enforcement of previous marijuana laws.” Furthermore, two licenses may be issued in those Arizona counties that do not have any medical marijuana dispensaries. If a medical dispensary already exists, the county may have one recreational outlet.
Recreational Marijuana Near You
To find a recreational marijuana dispensary in Arizona, customers can go to Leafly.com for a comprehensive list or call the ADHS. Either way, finding a recreational marijuana dispensary in Arizona should be easy as they are spread out across Arizona counties.
