Arizona Drug Penalties: Possession of Marijuana

Have you or a loved one been charged with the possession of marijuana? There’s a lot that goes into defining what constitutes it as a criminal offense and the appropriate penalties, and it’s important to understand the regulations as you look for a criminal law attorney.

Here are some things to know about marijuana possession in Arizona.

Possession of Marijuana

In 2021, Arizona Voters passed Proposition 207, legalizing marijuana for adult recreational use. Adults over the age of 21 may possess up to one ounce of marijuana without fear of prosecution! However, there are still some restrictions: any person found to be in possession of more than one ounce of marijuana, or of more than five grams of marijuana concentrate, could face felony charges. The seriousness of the felony charge is tied to the amount of marijuana in the person’s possession.

• 2 pounds or less: Class 6 felony
• Between 2 and 4 pounds: Class 5 felony
• 4 pounds or more: Class 4 felony

Any person under the age of 18 found to be in possession of marijuana without a valid medical marijuana card could also face felony charges.

Possession of Marijuana for Sale

Possession of marijuana for sale is a more serious offense. A person can be charged with possession for sale if the officers who conducted the investigation find evidence that the person was planning to sell the marijuana. Some examples of evidence the officers look for are the amount of marijuana in the person’s possession; the amount and denominations of cash the person is carrying; whether the marijuana is packaged for sale; whether the person has a scale or some other instrument used to measure quantities of marijuana. The penalties for possession of marijuana for sale are also tied to the weight of the marijuana in the person’s possession.

• Less than 2 pounds: Class 4 felony
• Between 2 and 4 pounds: Class 3 felony
• More than 4 pounds: Class 2 felony

Transportation of Marijuana

Medical marijuana cardholders are permitted to transport up to 2.5 oz of marijuana at a time, but the transportation of marijuana is charged for non-cardholders when police have reason to believe a person is importing or transferring marijuana for sale. Like the other sections of the statute, the seriousness of the charge is tied to the weight of the marijuana.

• Under 2 pounds: Class 3 felony
• Over 2 pounds: Class 2 felony

As you can see, transportation is a very serious offense.

If you or a loved one has been charged with possession of marijuana, you may be wondering where to find the best criminal defense attorney. Contact us here to learn more about how a criminal law attorney can support you or a loved one.