On Monday, the green lawn at the State Capitol was alive with the sounds of a not-so-perfect high school marching band filling the air, mixed with the chatter of political discussions and press conferences. This lively scene marked the opening day of Arizona’s legislative session.
As the excitement of opening day fades and lawmakers dive into the session, attention quickly shifts to the important deadlines ahead. One of the first big challenges comes on Thursday, January 16th. State Senators and House members usually don’t meet on Fridays, which means Thursday signals not only the end of the week, but a crucial deadline. Starting Thursday, each legislator is limited to submitting only seven bills. These seven bills are often focused on issues they are passionate about or that could help them get reelected.
State Senators need to act fast to get their seven bills submitted to the Arizona Legislative Council, as their deadlines are tighter than those for House members. The next significant date is Tuesday, January 21, by 5:00 p.m., the last day Senators can request to submit measures to the legislative council. The Arizona Legislative Council is a nonpartisan group that assists the legislature by drafting bills, providing legal advice, and making sure proposed laws meet legal standards. If a bill doesn’t follow the Arizona Constitution or other laws, the council will return it to the legislator for corrections. All corrections must be made by Monday, February 3, which is the final deadline for introducing Senate bills.
Good news for state representatives! They have a little extra time to fine-tune and submit their final seven bills. The deadline to submit is Friday, February 7, by 5:00 p.m., giving them a chance to perfect their proposals. All corrections and edits must be in by Monday, February 10, when the clock strikes 5:00 p.m. for the House Bill Introduction Deadline.
Bills this week
The first week of the legislative session got off to a busy start with five cannabis-related bills on the table. Let’s take a look at what these bills are all about.
HCR 2027: Back for the Third Time
For the third year in a row, HCR 2027 is making a comeback. Often referred to as a “zombie bill,” this proposal aims to limit the registration of nonprofit medical marijuana dispensaries, certify third-party laboratories, and regulate marijuana establishments on Indian reservations in Arizona.
The bill only needs a 51% majority vote to move forward, which would allow it to be put to the public in the next election. However, despite its return, the bill hasn’t gained much support in previous years. Some lawmakers see it as a statement measure rather than one meant to actually pass, but it’s still getting another shot this year.
Distance Between Dispensaries and Child Care Centers
SB1105, a proposed bill, aims to tighten regulations on the placement of medical marijuana dispensaries by requiring a minimum distance of 500 feet from child care centers and preschools. This measure builds on existing legislation under laws 207 and 203, which already mandate similar distance restrictions for schools and churches.
Two Bills Aiming to Help Veterans with Medical Marijuana Cards
No, this isn’t a mistake, and it’s not the result of some fire weed playing tricks on your eyes. This year, two separate bills are being introduced that deal with the same issue. Both bills have similar titles and focus on the cost of state fees for getting a medical marijuana card. These bills aim to make it easier for veterans to access medical marijuana.
HB 2245: A Democratic Plan to Help All Veterans
HB 2245 is a bill that wants to help all veterans by providing funding for medical marijuana cards. The state would set aside $10 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to help pay for the cards. This money will not expire, meaning it will always be available for veterans to use when they need it. This approach aims to ensure that all veterans have access to medical marijuana, regardless of their financial situation.
HB 2261: Exempting Honorably Discharged Veterans from the Application Fee
On the other side, HB 2261 is a Republican bill that focuses on helping honorably discharged veterans. Instead of offering funding, this bill would allow these veterans to get their medical marijuana card for free, by waiving the application fee. This bill doesn’t provide any state funds, but it gives veterans a break on the cost of the card. The goal is to show respect for their service and offer them financial relief.
HB 2179 Marijuana; Advertising; Restrictions : Another Zombie Bill Returns
HB 2179, a bill focused on regulating marijuana advertising, is back again this year. First introduced last year by Rep. Montenegro, the bill aims to put tougher rules on how cannabis products, including those with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), hemp derived cannabinoids, and marijuana paraphernalia, can be advertised—preventing advertisements from targeting children. The primary goal is to limit advertising to limited licensed marijuana businesses or nonprofit medical marijuana dispensaries, cutting out smoke shops that have been selling marijuana paraphernalia before it was legalized.
The bill also includes a strong enforcement plan, with penalties of up to $20,000 for anyone who fails to obey the rules.
This year, the bill is sponsored by Republican Rep. Selina Bliss from District 1, and while its goals are the same as last year, it is already making faster progress. The bill has been referred to the House Health and Human Services Committee and has already completed its First Read.
So that’s a look at the cannabis-related bills from the first week of Arizona’s 2025 legislative session. What’s next? Could there be another zombie bill about schizophrenia labeling? Or maybe more debates about Delta 8 and hemp? Stay tuned!
Summary
Senate First Read
SB1105- Medical Marijuana Dispensaries; Location
House First Read
HB2179-Marijuana; Advertising; Restrictions
Referred To Senate Rules Committee
SB1105- Medical Marijuana Dispensaries; Location
Referred To House Rules Committee
HB2179-Marijuana; Advertising; Restrictions
Referred To Senate Education Committee
SB1105- Medical Marijuana Dispensaries; Location
Referred To House HHS Committee
HB2179-Marijuana; Advertising; Restrictions
Introduced
HB2179-Marijuana; Advertising; Restrictions
HB2261- Medical Marijuana; Fee; Exemption; Veterans
HB2245- Appropriation; Medical Marijuana; Veterans; Fees
HCR2027- Marijuana; Unincorporated Areas; Reservations; Prohibition
SB1105- Medical Marijuana Dispensaries; Location
Bill Details
HB2179-Marijuana; Advertising; Restrictions
01/16/2025 House – House 1st Read
01/16/2025 House – Referred to House (HHS) Health & Human Services Committee
01/16/2025 House – Referred to – House Rules Committee
01/14/2025 House – Introduced
Summary
(Unofficial) Restricts the marketing, promotion, sponsorship, advertisement, or advertising for Marijuana, products containing tetrahydrocannabinol, intoxicating cannabinoids, or marijuana paraphernalia to a licensed marijuana establishment or nonprofit medical marijuana dispensary. Defines advertising restrictions on a marijuana establishment or nonprofit medical marijuana dispensary and provides text that must be included in all advertising. Defines restrictions on billboard advertising and outlines the process and penalties for noncompliance including timelines, deadlines and possible penalties. Stipulates that for the purposes of this legislation advertising does not include communication targeted to an established customer base. Effective date is July 1, 2026 and implementation is contingent on 3/4 of the members of each House of the legislature approving this legislation, per the Arizona Constitution.
Sections Affected
36-2859- Amended
Sponsor
Prime: Bliss
VPA- Voter Protection Act (Prop 105): Yes
FOR MORE INFO
HB2261- Medical Marijuana; Fee; Exemption; Veterans
01/15/2025 House – Introduced
(Unofficial summary) Veterans of the United States Armed Forces who have been honorably discharged are granted an exemption from the application fee specified in subsection A of the relevant section. This exemption is designed to offer financial assistance and acknowledge the sacrifices made by veterans, allowing them to obtain a medical marijuana card at no cost through the state.
Sections Affected
36-2804.02- Amended
Prime: Hernandez C
Co-Sponsor:
Carbone
Hernandez A
Hernandez L
Rivero
Taylor
Tsosie
Wilmeth
VPA- Voter Protection Act (Prop 105): Yes
FOR MORE INFO
HB2245- Appropriation; Medical Marijuana; Veterans; Fees
01/15/2025 House – Introduced
Summary:
A total of $10,000,000 to be allocated from the state general fund for the fiscal year 2025-2026 to the Department of Health Services. This funding would cover the costs associated with issuing and renewing registry identification cards for veterans of the United States Armed Forces, as outlined in section 36-2804.02 of the Arizona Revised Statutes.
Sections Affected
36-2804.02- Amended
Prime: Mathis
Co-Sponsor:
De Los Santos
Villegas
VPA- Voter Protection Act (Prop 105) Yes
FOR MORE INFO
HCR2027- Marijuana; Unincorporated Areas; Reservations; Prohibition
01/16/2025 House – Introduced
(Unofficial summary) This passage outlines restrictions on issuing nonprofit medical marijuana dispensary registration certificates, certifying third-party laboratories, and granting marijuana establishment or testing facility licenses in unincorporated territory surrounded by an Indian reservation in Arizona. Additionally, it mentions the Secretary of State submitting a proposition related to this matter to voters at the next general election.
Prime: Peshlakai
Co-Sponsor:
Contreras P
Luna-Nájera
Márquez
Sandoval
Stahl Hamilton
Villegas
VPA- Voter Protection Act (Prop 105): Yes
FOR MORE INFO
SB1105- Medical Marijuana Dispensaries; Location
01/16/2025 Senate – Senate 1st Read
01/16/2025 Senate – Referred to – Education – Senate Education Committee
01/16/2025 Senate – Referred to Committee – Rules – Senate Rules Committee
01/16/2025 Senate – Hearing Scheduled – 01/16/2025 – First Reading, Senate Floor
01/14/2025 Senate – Introduced
Summary:
Adds childcare facilities or facilities that provide preschool programs to the distance restrictions for the location of a medical marijuana dispensary. Requires an affirmative vote of at least three-fourths of the members of each House of the legislature.
Sections Affected
36-2804- Amended
Prime: Bolick
Co-Sponsor: Miranda
VPA- Voter Protection Act (Prop 105): Yes
FOR MORE INFO
All information from azleg.gov, last updated Thursday, January 16th ,5pm