Cannabis in Tucson, AZ

The second-largest city in Arizona and home to the second-largest university in the state, Tucson feels a bit like Phoenix’s younger sibling. Yet, when it comes to cannabis regulations, Tucson is on-par with Phoenix and other pro-weed Arizona cities. There are plenty of Tucson dispensaries worth visiting, especially in the hip downtown area,  but before you go, you should learn more about the laws affecting cannabis sales, possession and consumption around the city.

Cannabis laws to know in Tucson, AZ

Arizona has enjoyed a legal medical marijuana program since 2010, and recreational cannabis became legally available around the state in 2021. Tucson rapidly adopted adult-use regulations passed in 2020, and most Tucson dispensaries now offer both medical and recreational goods to qualified consumers.

Tucson’s recreational cannabis regulations

In Tucson, adults over 21 are allowed to purchase up to an ounce of cannabis or up to five grams of concentrates per day from a licensed dispensary. What’s more, Tucson residents can grow up to six cannabis plants for personal use — or up to 12 plants per household with more than one qualified adult — as long as cannabis plants are grown out of public view and access.

Medical cannabis laws in Tucson

As is true in all Arizona cities, the medical marijuana program in Tucson is managed by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). Any patient with a qualifying condition can apply for a medical marijuana card, which allows them to visit a Tucson dispensary to acquire up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis per 14-day period. Patients under 18 cannot enter a medical marijuana dispensary in Tucson; instead, the acquisition and administration of their treatment must be performed by a parent or guardian.

How to get a medical marijuana card in Tucson

Tucson patients interested in taking advantage of the state’s medical marijuana program must obtain a written certification of a qualifying condition from an Arizona-licensed physician. This certification, as well as proof of Arizona residency and a $150 processing fee can be submitted online, via this ADHS portal. Applicants should expect approval or denial of their application within 10 days of submission, and they should have a card and Tucson dispensary access up to five days later.

Patients under 18 have more hoops to jump through. Minors and their adult guardians must hear the risks and benefits of medical cannabis from a physician and attach two written recommendations for cannabis treatment from different physicians to their applications.

Where is it legal to consume cannabis in Tucson?

Arizona Law restricts recreational cannabis consumption to private spaces away from public view, which does include homes but excludes vehicles. Nowhere in Arizona is outdoor or public consumption permitted — except in some cases for medical marijuana patients, who are allowed to use discreet methods like oils and edibles as long as they are not engaging in negligent behavior like driving a car or picking fights.

How to buy cannabis at a Tucson dispensary

Tucson dispensary laws are likely to change in coming years as recreational regulations normalize. For now, dispensaries are not subject to rules about hours of operation; most Tucson dispensaries are open and serving customers between 9AM and 10PM. It is a good idea to bring enough cash to cover cannabis purchases because many dispensaries in Arizona are unable to process card payments as yet.

How much does cannabis cost in Tucson?

The average cost of a gram of dry flower from a Tucson dispensary is $15, and concentrates can cost double that rate or more, depending on quality and location.

Cannabis taxes in Tucson

Arizona imposes a 16% excise tax on all recreational cannabis sales, which is levied in addition to all state and local sales taxes on typical retail items. Medical marijuana patients are subject to a cannabis tax of 8.6% on qualified cannabis purchases, thanks to state, city, and county tax programs. State cannabis tax revenues go toward funding the medical marijuana program, and in Pima County and Tucson, tax revenues help fund educational programs and infrastructure maintenance.