Arizona Off To The Races

Unlike states like South Dakota and New Jersey, who are experiencing stumbling blocks with respect to the implementation of their voter backed adult-use cannabis referendums, Arizona has already hit the ground running. By way of background, Arizona's Proposition 207 was passed by 60% of voters, and broadly legalized the possession and use of marijuana for adults aged 21 years and older, permitted individuals to grow no more than 6 marijuana plants, and designated the Arizona Department of Health Services ("DHS") with the responsibility to pass rules and regulations for the implementation of an adult use marketplace. And DHS has not wasted any time, introducing a first set of rules and regulations in December, followed up by a second draft more recently, and announcing an application round for the first set of adult-use operators.