 Arizona legalized medical cannabis in 2010, and those medical sales began two years later. In 2020, Arizona legalized recreational cannabis for adults, and those sales began in January 2021.
In the first year, of recreational sales medical cannabis sales still outpaced recreational. The state reported that in 2021, medical sales generated nearly $704 million, and recreational sales generated about $528 million. Since then, recreational sales have soared, and medical sales have cooled off. The AZ Mirror reported that medical sales in Arizona have dropped dramatically for seven months in a row. Recreational sales, on the other hand, have grown higher and higher, with each month seeming to top the previous. This is good news for the state, as recreational sales come with an excise tax that the state benefits directly from. This year so far, the recreational excise tax has brought in $177.3 million for the state. That money is divided between state community resources. One third of taxes collected are given to community college and provisional community college districts. Another third goes to public safety, including police, fire departments, fire districts, and first responders. 25% goes to the Arizona Highway User Revenue Fund. And 10% goes to the justice reinvestment fund, dedicated to providing public health services, counseling, job training and other social services for communities that have been adversely affected and disproportionately impacted by cannabis arrests and criminalization. Samuel Richard, the Executive Director of the Arizona Dispensaries Association said, “[These numbers show] that the legalization of cannabis is something Arizonans believe strongly in and the many benefits it contributes to the state’s economy.” Comments are closed.
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