It’s a New Era for Cannabis in Arizona!
Recreational marijuana delivery services in Arizona are set to begin soon! If you live in Arizona and have been looking forward to convenient cannabis, mark November 1st on your calendar, as cannabis could be delivered straight to your door!
Until now, delivery options in Arizona were only available for medical marijuana patients, and even then, they faced challenges due to city-level restrictions. However, the new rules that take effect November 1st allow dispensaries to deliver to any location across the state.
“It’s very exciting,” said Lilach Mazor Power, co-owner of the Giving Tree dispensary in Phoenix. “There is a population out there that is not comfortable going to dispensaries. … They’ll realize how safe and easy it is to get weed to your door.”
A Boost for a Declining Industry
The introduction of recreational marijuana delivery is expected to provide a much-needed boost to Arizona’s struggling legal marijuana industry. While the state has had a strong dispensary presence since voters approved medical marijuana in 2010 and recreational use in 2020, cannabis sales have seen a decline over the past couple of years.
State data shows that recreational marijuana sales in Arizona dropped from a peak of $103 million in March 2023 to an estimated $70 million in August 2024. Medical marijuana sales have seen an even steeper drop, falling from $60 million in November 2021 to just under $17 million by August 2024.
The accelerated release of the new rules caught some dispensary operators by surprise, as officials initially planned to unveil them in January. “We’re optimistic this can be a bit of a boost for the industry,” said Ann Torrez, executive director of the Arizona Dispensaries Association. With the number of dispensaries fixed for the foreseeable future, delivery services are likely to represent “the biggest growth opportunity in the industry,” she added.
How Recreational Weed Delivery Works
The new delivery service comes with certain rules and restrictions. The purchase limits for delivery are the same as in-store: each customer can buy up to one ounce of flower or five grams of concentrated cannabis. The person who places the order must present their ID at the door, as deliveries cannot be left with anyone else.
The delivery vehicles and packages will be discreet, ensuring anonymity for buyers. However, as marijuana remains federally illegal, customers will need to pay in cash. The regulations also stipulate that delivery vehicles can carry no more than $10,000 worth of product by retail price, and deliveries are prohibited on properties owned by the state, political subdivisions, the Board of Regents, or the United States.
Additionally, only pre-ordered products can be delivered—dispensary vehicles are not allowed to act like ice-cream trucks, selling products on the go.
Dispensaries Rolling Out Delivery Services
Dispensaries are already making plans to launch their delivery services. Mint Cannabis, which operates six stores across metro Phoenix, is preparing to offer deliveries 24 hours a day starting in mid- to late-November. “We’ll go out to wherever your NFL party is,” said Raul Molina, co-owner of Mint, highlighting the flexibility of their delivery options. Mint’s Guadalupe location will also eventually deliver THC-infused hot foods, adding another layer of convenience for customers.
Meanwhile, Giving Tree dispensary will partner with Grassp Health, an existing medical marijuana delivery service, to begin their recreational deliveries on November 1st. The rollout of these services is expected to make cannabis more accessible to those who prefer the privacy and convenience of home delivery.
As we watch Arizona roll out this new chapter in cannabis accessibility, it’s clear that delivery services are poised to play a major role in shaping the future of the industry. Whether it’s increasing consumer convenience, helping dispensaries thrive, or setting a precedent for other states to follow, the impact of recreational weed delivery could be significant. Let’s hope this marks the beginning of more progressive steps in cannabis legalization and convenience nationwide.
Unfortunately, we’ll still have to get ours the old-fashioned way, but we’d love to hear how your experience goes once deliveries are up and running! How was the ordering process? Did everything go smoothly, or did the driver get lost on the way? Sharing your story could help others make informed decisions. Drop your thoughts in the comments below!