Recreational Marijuana Sales Begin In Arizona

The Arizona Department of Health has approved licenses for businesses to sell recreational marijuana.

According to Steve Elliott, an agency spokesman, ADHS has given the permission to 86 establishments in nine counties since the process began last Wednesday.

Proposition 207, nicknamed the "Pot Prop" made the use of recreational marijuana legal when voters approved it back in the November elections last year.
Arizona residents that are 21-years-old and older can now legally buy, possess, and consume one ounce of Marijuana.

It is still illegal to smoke it in public places.

Dr. Cara Christ, Arizona's state health director, told AZ Family, "It's an exciting step for those that want to participate in the program."

Resident David Pearce said, "I've been waiting 20 plus years, always scared about getting arrested and getting in trouble or losing job opportunities."

Dispensaries across the state have been getting ready for weeks so that they wouldn't be caught off guard when the licenses were approved.

Thousands of marijuana possession cases were dropped after the measure was approved, and possession became legal when the election results were certified on November 30th of last year.

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