The Arizona Legislature’s bill introduction deadline has passed, with 1,678 bills officially filed for consideration. Among them are 12 measures related to marijuana and hemp—but don’t get too attached just yet. The next major deadline is February 21. If a bill isn’t heard in its assigned committee in the chamber where it was introduced, it’s dead for the session.
Cannabis and Water Conservation: HB 2941
With water conservation a major focus at the Capitol in recent years, it’s no surprise to see a bill tackling cannabis cultivation and water use. HB 2941 would require growers to implement water conservation plans, aligning cannabis farming with Arizona’s broader efforts to manage its limited water supply.
For context, here’s how cannabis water usage stacks up against Arizona’s top agricultural crops (gallons per acre per year):
- Alfalfa: 1.3M – 2M
- Cotton: 978K – 1.3M
- Lettuce: 652K – 978K
- Citrus (oranges, lemons, etc.): 978K – 1.3M
- Pecans & Pistachios: 1.3M – 1.6M
- Cannabis: 326K – 815K (varies based on indoor vs. outdoor growing)
Every crop in Arizona is required to have a water conservation plan, and this bill aims to ensure cannabis is no exception.
If passed, the legislation will require all marijuana cultivation businesses to submit a detailed water conservation plan. The plan will include methods to reduce water consumption, proposed watering techniques, any water reuse systems, the total area of cultivation space, and monthly water usage data. The bill also introduces a limit on cultivation canopy size, restricting it to no more than 30,000 square feet per licensee. Businesses that wish to share cultivation space with other licensees must ensure their individual canopy size remains within this limit. Those that exceed the 30,000-square-foot threshold will face an additional water cultivation fee. These fees will be directed into a fund dedicated to supporting water conservation efforts.
Tenant Protections for Cannabis Use: HB 2904
Just before the deadline, another cannabis-related bill made the cut: HB 2904, which mirrors last year’s HB 2301. The proposal would prevent landlords from evicting tenants solely for cannabis use. If passed, it would protection for medical and recreational users living in rental properties.
With the February 21 deadline fast approaching, these bills must clear their assigned committees to stay alive in the legislative process.
Summary
House – Introduced
HB2904 – Landlords; Tenant’s Marijuana Use
HB2941 – Marijuana Cultivation; Water Usage
Due Pass House Third Read (51-3-6)
HB2179 Marijuana; Advertising; Restrictions
Due Pass as Amended House Committee of the Whole
HB2179-Marijuana; Advertising; Restrictions
Due Pass Senate Appropriations (7-3-0)
SB1230- Marijuana; Clinical Research Trials
Senate 2nd Read
SB1556 – Adult hemp beverages; policies; procedures
SB1702 – Hemp-derived products; regulation
SB1713 – Marijuana; dual licensees; rural communities
SB1716 – Medical marijuana; invalidity; exception
Senate 1st Read
SB1556 – Adult hemp beverages; policies; procedures
SB1702 – Hemp-derived products; regulation
SB1713 – Marijuana; dual licensees; rural communities
SB1716 – Medical marijuana; invalidity; exception
Referred to Senate Rules Committee
SB1556 – Adult hemp beverages; policies; procedures
SB1702 – Hemp-derived products; regulation
SB1713 – Marijuana; dual licensees; rural communities
SB1716 – Medical marijuana; invalidity; exception
Referred to Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee
SB1556 – Adult hemp beverages; policies; procedures
SB1702 – Hemp-derived products; regulation
Referred to Senate Natural Resources Committee
SB1713 – Marijuana; dual licensees; rural communities
Referred to Senate Health and Human Services Committee
SB1716 – Medical marijuana; invalidity; exception
No Movement
HB2245- Appropriation; Medical Marijuana; Veterans; Fees
HB2261- Medical Marijuana; Fee; Exemption; Veterans
HCR2027- Marijuana; Unincorporated Areas; Reservations; Prohibition
SB1105- Medical Marijuana Dispensaries; Location
Bill Details
HB2179-Marijuana; Advertising; Restrictions
02/13/2025 Due Pass House Third Read (vote 51-3-6)
02/10/2025 Due Pass as Amended House Committee of the Whole
02/04/2025 – House Minority Caucus
02/04/2025 – House Majority Caucus
02/03/2025 – House Consent Calendar – Object: Yes
02/03/2025 – C&P (Constitutional & Proper) – House Rules
01/21/2025 – Due Pass House HHS Health & Human Services, (vote 12-0-0)
01/21/2025 – House 2nd Read
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
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
Sections Affected
36-2859- Amended
Sponsor
Prime: Bliss
VPA- Voter Protection Act (Prop 105): Yes
FOR MORE INFO
HOUSE COW AMENDMENT
HB2245- Appropriation; Medical Marijuana; Veterans; Fees
No Movement
01/28/2025 House 2nd Read
01/23/2025 House 1st Read
01/23/2025 Referred to Committee – Rules – House Rules
01/23/2025 Referred to Committee – Appropriations – House Appropriations
01/23/2025 Referred to Committee – House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections
01/15/2025 House – Introduced
Summary:
Appropriates $10,000,000 from the Arizona State General Fund in FY 2025-2026 to the Arizona Department of Health Services for the issuance and renewal of registry identification cards for veterans of the United States armed forces pursuant to state law.
Sections Affected
36-2804.02- Amended
Prime: Mathis
Co-Sponsor:
De Los Santos
Villegas
VPA- Voter Protection Act (Prop 105)
FOR MORE INFO
HB2261- Medical Marijuana; Fee; Exemption; Veterans
No Movement
01/28/2025 House 2nd Read
01/27/2025 House 1st Read
01/27/2025 Referred to House Rules Committee
01/27/2025 Referred to House Appropriations Committee
01/27/2025 Referred to Health & Human Services Committee
01/15/2025 House – Introduced
Exempts honorably discharged armed forces veterans from paying the standard application fee for a qualifying patient’s registry identification card. These changes ensure that veterans receive financial relief when applying for a registry identification card.
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
HB2904 – Landlords; Tenant’s Marijuana Use
02/10/2025 House – Introduced
Awaiting Summary
Sections Affected
33-1317.01 Added
Sponsor:
Rep. Lorena Austin (D)
Co-sponsors:
Crews (D)
Abeytia (D)
VPA- Voter Protection Act (Prop 105): No
FOR MORE INFO
HB2941 – Marijuana Cultivation; Water Usage
02/10/2025 House – Introduced
Awaiting Summary
Sections Affected
45-581 Added
49-1331 Amended
Sponsor:
Rep. Consuelo Hernandez (D)
VPA- Voter Protection Act (Prop 105): yes
FOR MORE INFO
HCR2027- Marijuana; Unincorporated Areas; Reservations; Prohibition
No Movement
01/30/2025 House 2nd Read
01/29/2025 House 1st Read
01/29/2025 Referred to House Rules Committee
01/29/2025 Referred to House Health & Human Services Committee
01/29/2025 – First Reading, House Floor
01/16/2025 House – Introduced
The 2024 general election ballot is to carry the question of whether to amend state statute to prohibit the Department of Health Services from issuing a nonprofit medical marijuana dispensary registration certificate, a marijuana establishment license, a marijuana testing facility license, or an independent third-party laboratory certification at a location in unincorporated territory that is surrounded on all sides by an Indian Reservation in Arizona
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
No Movement
02/04/2025 – Senate Majority Caucus
02/04/2025 – Senate Minority Caucus
02/03/2025 – Senate Consent
02/03/2025 – PFC (Proper Form/ Constitutional) – Senate Rule
01/29/2025 – Due Pass Senate Education (ED) (vote 6-0-1)
01/22/2025 – Senate – 2nd Read
01/16/2025 – Senate – 1st Read
01/16/2025 – Senate – Referred to – Education – Senate Education Committee
01/16/2025 – Senate – Referred to Committee – Rules – Senate Rules Committee
01/14/2025 – 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
Sponsor
Prime: Bolick
Co-Sponsor: Miranda
VPA- Voter Protection Act (Prop 105): Yes
FOR MORE INFO
SB1230- Marijuana; Clinical Research Trials
02/11/2025 DP (Due Pass) Senate Appropriations (7-3-0)
02/05/2025 – DP (Due Pass) – Senate Health and Human Services (6-0-1)
01/30/2025 Hearing Scheduled – 02/05/2025, 9:00 AM – Senate HHS, SHR 2
01/28/2025 Senate 2nd Read
01/27/2025 Senate 1st Read
01/27/2025 Referred to Senate Rules Committee
01/27/2025 Referred to Senate Appropriations Committee
01/27/2025 Referred to Senate Health and Human Services Committee
01/22/2025 Senate Introduced
Summary
Requires monies in the Medical Marijuana Fund to be used to provide grants for marijuana clinical trials conducted pursuant to state law, versus it being an option to use those funds in that manner. Stipulates that this legislation becomes effective only on the affirmative vote of at least three fourths of the members of each House of the legislature.
Sections Affected
36-2817- Amended
36-2822- Amended
Sponsor
Prime: Payne
VPA- Voter Protection Act (Prop 105): Yes
FOR MORE INFO
SB1556 – Adult hemp beverages; policies; procedures
02/11/2025 Senate 2nd Read
02/10/2025 Senate 1st Read
02/10/2025 Referred to Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee
02/10/2025 Referred to Senate Rules Committee
02/03/2025 – Senate Introduced
Summary: Creates a new “adult hemp beverage” (defined) category and regulates it similarly to spirituous liquor. It defines adult hemp beverages as low-THC drinks derived from industrial hemp and authorizes current liquor licensees—producers, wholesalers, retailers, and delivery contractors—to add permissions for manufacturing, distributing, selling, or delivering these products without a separate hearing. Sets a gallon-based tax rate of $1.50 for adult hemp beverages, requires laboratory testing for total THC potency and contaminants, and specifies packaging, serving size, and labeling requirements, including quick-response codes linked to lab reports. Requires adult hemp beverage producers to obtain a manufacturer license or amend an existing producer or craft producer license; allows wholesalers, retailers, and delivery contractors to expand their existing permissions by filing a streamlined application. Includes a 90-day grace period for retailers and wholesalers to sell existing hemp beverage inventory, after which unapproved products are subject to seizure. Appropriates $1 million from the liquor licenses fund to the Department of Liquor Licenses and Control to administer the regulation. Requires all new testing labs to be approved and permitted, and existing department rules for spirituous liquor largely apply, unless deemed inapplicable.
Sections Affected
3-314 Amended
4-101 Amended
4-112 Amended
4-114 Amended
4-201 Amended
4-202 Amended
4-203 Amended
4-204 Amended
4-205.04 Amended
4-205.06 Amended
4-205.13 Amended
4-205.08 Amended
4-205 Amended
4-205.01 Amended
4-205.02 Amended
4-205.05 Amended
4-205.10 Amended
4-206.01 Amended
4-207.01 Amended
4-207.02 Amended
4-207.03 Amended
4-208 Amended
4-209 Amended
4-210 Amended
4-212 Amended
4-213 Amended
4-215 Amended
4-216 Added
4-222 Amended
4-223 Amended
4-224 Amended
4-225 Repealed
4-226 Amended
4-227 Amended
4-227.01 Amended
4-241 Amended
4-242 Amended
4-243.01 Amended
4-243.04 Amended
4-243 Amended
4-243.02 Amended
4-244.02 Amended
4-244 Amended
4-244.05 Amended
4-245 Added
4-250.01 Amended
4-251 Amended
4-301 Amended
4-302 Amended
4-311 Amended
4-312 Amended
36-136 Amended
42-3001 Amended
42-3051 Amended
42-3052 Amended
42-3351 Amended
42-3352 Amended
42-3354 Amended
42-3355 Amended
42-3357 Added
Sponsor: Sen. Thomas “T.J.” Shope (R)
VPA- Voter Protection Act (Prop 105): No
FOR MORE INFO
SB1702 – Hemp-derived products; regulation
02/11/2025 Senate 2nd Read
02/10/2025 Senate 1st Read
02/10/2025 Referred to Senate Rules Committee
02/10/2025 Referred to Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee
02/03/2025 Senate – Introduced
Summary: Revises the title heading for Title 3, Chapter 2, Article 4.1 from “Industrial Hemp” (defined) to “Hemp” (defined). Specifies that the purpose of this legislation is to allow commercial production of industrial hemp while maintaining strict control of marijuana. Authorizes industrial hemp production, harvesting, transporting, processing, manufacturing and retailing in Arizona, subject to state law and rules adopted by the Arizona Department of Agriculture (ADA). Establishes that industrial hemp research is permissible under an exempt fee license issued by the ADA. Outlines the goals and duties of management of the ADA. Defines infractions and outlines a penalty structure for noncompliance with state law. Establishes that a license to grow or sell hemp is good for he year the license is issued. Defines required records keeping, inspection and visitation processes and authorization for rules making, and activities ADA may take to address infractions of the law. Defines the role of the Industrial Hemp Advisory Council. Lists restrictions and prohibitions on hemp distribution and sale. Defines the licensing process, including the steps and data needed to be completed and submitted to move a license application towards issuance. Lists the terms of the license as part of the issuance of the license. Mandates testing of hemp and hemp products and outlines the testing process, including the goals of the testing process. Outlines labeling requirements of hemp and hemp products and defines restrictions on labeling and advertising. Defines activities that are prohibited while a person is under the influence of a hemp product.
Sections Affected
3-311 Amended
3-312 Amended
3-313 Amended
3-314 Amended
3-316 Amended
3-317 Amended
3-318 Amended
3-320 Amended
3-321 Added
3-322 Added
3-323 Added
3-324 Added
3-325 Added
3-326 Added
3-327 Added
3-328 Added
3-329 Added
3-330 Added
3-331 Added
3-332 Added
13-3405 Amended
41-619.51 Amended
41-1758.01 Amended
41-1758 Amended
41-1758.07 Amended
Sponsor: Sen. David Gowan ®
Co-Sponsor Ortiz
VPA- Voter Protection Act (Prop 105): No
FOR MORE INFO
SB1713 – Marijuana; dual licensees; rural communities
02/11/2025 Senate 2nd Read
02/10/2025 Senate 1st Read
02/10/2025 Referred to Senate Natural Resources Committee
02/10/2025 Referred to Senate Rules Committee
02/03/2025 Senate – Introduced
Summary: Requires the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) to issue rules pertaining to marijuana establishment licenses and nonprofit marijuana dispensary registration certificates. Defines the criteria needing to be included in determining eligibility for a license or certificate. Defines the purposes and scope of the licenses. Requires the ADHS to issue rules that allow the establishment of a Rural Opportunity Initiative to create tax revenue and economic opportunities for rural communities. Outlines deadlines for adopting and posting rules, accepting, processing and granting applications. Defines the criteria for eligibility for a license or certificate, including duel licenses or certificates. Requires at least three-fourths of the members of the legislature to support this legislation for it to become effective.
Sections Affected
36-2854 Amended
36-2857.01 Added
Sponsor: Sen. David Gowan (R)
VPA- Voter Protection Act (Prop 105): Yes
FOR MORE INFO
SB1716 – Medical marijuana; invalidity; exception
02/11/2025 Senate 2nd Read
02/10/2025 Senate 1st Read
02/10/2025 Referred to Senate Health and Human Services Committee
02/10/2025 Referred to Senate Rules Committee
02/03/2025 Senate – Introduced
Summary: Stipulates that this legislation does not apply to a nonprofit medical marijuana dispensary that was unable to open due to a restriction in a local ordinance. Applies retroactively to December 31, 2022. This legislation requires three-fourths of the legislature to become effective. Contains an emergency clause.
Sections Affected
36-2803.01 Amended
Sponsor: Sen. David Gowan (R)
VPA- Voter Protection Act (Prop 105): Yes
FOR MORE INFO