Marijuana Dispensaries in Surprise

Are there Marijuana Dispensaries in Surprise?

No. Although Article VIII of the Surprise City Code allows marijuana dispensaries to operate in the city, there are no marijuana dispensaries operating within the city limits. The city permits a marijuana retail establishment operated by a dual licensee co-located on the same property as a medical cannabis dispensary with a valid registration with the ADHS to sell adult-use cannabis.

Are there Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in Surprise?

No. There are no medical marijuana dispensaries in the City of Surprise. The city permits non-profit medical marijuana dispensaries, as defined under Section 36-2801(12) of the Arizona Revised Statutes, to operate within the city limits.

Can You Buy Cannabis from Online Weed Dispensaries in Surprise?

No. You cannot buy cannabis from online marijuana dispensaries in Surprise, as there are no cannabis establishments selling medical or recreational cannabis in the city.

Visiting a Dispensary in Surprise

You cannot visit a cannabis dispensary in Surprise as no such cannabis business exists in the city. Note that both adult-use and medical use of cannabis are legal in the city and the city ordinance allows licensed retail cannabis operations. When retail cannabis stores open in the city, their operations will comply with Arizona laws on retail cannabis laws. Hence, you must be at least 21 to enter a retail store selling weed for recreational use. If you are unable to provide a valid photo ID showing you are of legal age to consume recreational cannabis, you will not be permitted entry.

Note that cannabis dispensaries in other Arizona jurisdictions do not typically accept cash for cannabis transactions as credit card businesses avoid supporting cannabis retail transactions. Hence, you should bring cash with you to Surprise dispensaries. You will also pay a 16% state-imposed excise tax on adult-use cannabis purchases. You will not be allowed to buy more than one ounce of weed, with no more than 5 grams being concentrated cannabis. A patient registered under the Arizona medical marijuana program can purchase up to 2.5 ounces in a 14-calendar-day period.

If you are unsure what kind of cannabis products will be sold in Surprise cannabis dispensaries, they will be able to sell resin, extracts, seedlings, plants, and paraphernalia as permitted under Arizona law. When cannabis dispensaries open in the city, you may do a web search using the term "weed dispensaries near me" to find the physical addresses of nearby weed dispensaries.

Surprise Dispensary Laws

Although there are no weed dispensaries in the city, Surprise dispensaries, when open, will be governed by the following laws:

• A dispensary may only operate in the city upon obtaining the applicable state license and local permits
• A dispensary may not be located in a trailer, storage unit, cargo container, or motor vehicle. A dispensary must be located in a permanent building
• A dispensary may not exceed 2,500 gross square feet, except for a co-located medical marijuana dispensary and marijuana retail establishment operated by a dual licensee. Such a facility is permitted to extend up to 5,000 gross square feet
• A dispensary may not offer a drive-through service as outlined under Section 106-10.17 of the Surprise Municipal Code
• A dispensary may not offer off-site delivery of marijuana or marijuana products
• A dispensary may not have outdoor seating areas
• A dispensary may only operate between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
• A dispensary may not be located within 3,000 feet of a residential substance abuse facility, sexually oriented business, and other marijuana facility type
• A dispensary may not be located within 1,500 feet of any entertainment establishment, public park, playground, usable open space, private daycare, preschool, kindergarten facility, or school
• A dispensary may not be located within 500 feet of a place of worship, dwelling unit, or any parcel residentially zone or designated residential land use
• A dispensary may only sell adult-use cannabis to adults aged 21 and older with valid government-issued identification cards
• Medical cannabis dispensaries that obtain recreational marijuana dispensary licenses must conduct both operations in the same location
• A medical cannabis dispensary may only sell medical cannabis to persons with valid Arizona medical marijuana cards

Recreational Laws in Surprise

Recreational cannabis possession and use are legal in Surprise pursuant to Proposition 207. The following are permissions and restrictions applicable in the city under Proposition 207:

• Age: Only Surprise residents aged 21 or older can legally access recreational marijuana
• Purchase Limits: Surprise adults are only allowed to have one ounce of cannabis, with no higher than 5 grams of that limit being marijuana concentrate
• Possession: Surprise may possess cannabis amounts within the stated possession limits. However, possession of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana, of which no more than 12.5 grams is in concentrated form, will only be considered a petty misdemeanor
• Public Use: Cannabis consumption in public places is illegal in the city
• Driving: Driving while under the influence of cannabis is illegal in Surprise
• Buying and Selling: It is illegal for adults aged 21 or older to sell cannabis except if they have obtained licenses as marijuana establishments
• Cultivation: Adults aged 21 or older may grow up to six plants at home. If two or more adults live in a home, they can grow a maximum of 12 cannabis plants. Note that plants must be grown out of public view
• Taxes: Recreational cannabis products attract a 16% excise tax
• Employment: A Surprise employer retains the right to enforce workplace policies restricting cannabis use
• Delivery: Adult-use cannabis delivery will become legal only after the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) adopts the regulations for delivery

Medical Cannabis Laws in Surprise

Medical marijuana is legal in the City of Surprise under the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act (AMMA). The following laws apply to Surprise residents under the AMMA:

• Age: There is no age restriction on medical cannabis use. However, different types of medical marijuana cards apply to residents in the city, depending on their age. Persons aged 18 or older can obtain patient medical marijuana cards, while residents under 18 must designate caregivers who are required to have caregiver cards. Caregivers are responsible for helping their patients purchase and administer medical marijuana
• Purchase Limits: A dispensary licensed by the ADHS will not sell a qualified patient more than 2.5 ounces of cannabis in a 14-day period
• Possession: A qualified patient may possess the allowable amount of marijuana as permitted under the purchase limits
• Public Use: It is illegal to use medical cannabis publicly
• Driving: Driving while under the influence of medical cannabis is unlawful
• Buying and Selling: Medical cannabis may only be sold and bought at a licensed non-profit medical marijuana dispensary in Arizona
• Cultivation: Registered Surprise patients and their designated caregivers may grow up to 12 cannabis plants per registered patient. The cultivated plants must be kept in enclosed, locked containers out of public view. Note that this provision is contingent on there being medical marijuana dispensary within 25 miles of the homes of the cultivators
• Taxes: The State of Arizona has not imposed excise taxes on medical cannabis
• Employment: Employers in Surprise are prohibited from discriminating against registered medical cannabis patients when hiring, disciplining, or terminating their employment based solely on their statuses as medical cannabis patients unless when the company would forfeit federal benefits. A positive drug test may not be used against a patient unless the individual used, possessed, or was impaired by medical cannabis at work or during working hours
• Delivery: Medical cannabis delivery is permitted under state law

How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Surprise

You can get a medical marijuana card in Surprise by completing an online application to the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). The ADHS does not accept walk-in submissions. However, before applying, you must obtain a written certification from a licensed physician attesting that you have one of the debilitating medical conditions approved in Arizona. The conditions for which you may be issued a written medical cannabis certification in Surprise are:

• Glaucoma
• Crohn's disease
• Cancer
• Agitation of Alzheimer's disease
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Hepatitis C
• Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
• Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• A chronic or debilitating ailment or medical condition or the treatment for such conditions causing:
  • Severe nausea
  • Severe and chronic pain
  • Cachexia or wasting syndrome
  • Seizures, including those related to epilepsy
  • Severe or persistent muscle spasms, including spasms of multiple sclerosis

Note that the written certification may be obtained from a medical doctor, homeopath, osteopath, and naturopath licensed to practice in Arizona with whom you have a bona fide physician-patient relationship. The certification must be on a form provided by the ADHS; no other form is valid. The written certification must be issued within 90 days of completing the online application for a medical marijuana card.

Upon obtaining your medical marijuana certification, visit the Arizona Patient Registry to complete your application. You will need the following to complete the application:

• A copy of the completed and signed physician certification form
• A copy of your completed and signed qualifying patient attestation
• A copy of your photo identification, such as an Arizona driver's license or other State of Arizona-issued ID card
• A copy of your digital photograph
• A $150 application fee or a reduced fee of $75 if you provide valid SNAP documentation. You will need a MasterCard or Visa to pay the application fee. A credit card, debit card, or pre-paid card is accepted. Application fees are non-refundable

The ADHS may take about ten days to review your application. The card will be issued within five days upon approval. For more information on medical marijuana registry identification cards, check the ADHS website's medicinal marijuana page or the medical marijuana online application guideline.

Where is it Legal to Consume Cannabis in Surprise?

Cannabis use is legal in residences owned by the users. If you do not own where you live, you must check with the property owner to consume cannabis legally there. Note that cannabis use is illegal in public places and dispensaries. However, Arizona law permits registered medical marijuana patients to consume cannabis edibles in public. Other forms of medical cannabis may only be consumed in private residences. Note that patients residing in nursing care institutions, hospices, assisted living facilities, or adult foster care homes or who attend adult day health care facilities may have to follow other restrictions imposed by such facilities.

How to Buy Cannabis at a Surprise Dispensary

Presently, you cannot buy cannabis within the city as there are no cannabis dispensaries authorized to sell cannabis in the city. When dispensaries are established in the city, you must visit the address of licensed locations to buy cannabis. You must have a valid ID card showing you are 21 or older to purchase recreational weed or a medical marijuana card to purchase medical cannabis.

The Average Price in Surprise

It is not yet known how much weed will be sold in the city until cannabis dispensaries are established in the jurisdiction.

Most Popular Strains in Surprise

Only when cannabis dispensaries are established in the city will popular weed strains become known there.

Can You Smoke in Public in Surprise?

No. Smoking marijuana in public places is prohibited in Surprise. Cannabis smoking is illegal anywhere tobacco smoking is prohibited in the City of Surprise.

How Much Marijuana Can You Possess at Once in Surprise?

A registered medical marijuana patient in Surprise can possess up to 2.5 ounces of usable marijuana every 14 days, while recreational cannabis users in the city who are 21 or older can legally possess 28 grams of cannabis, of which no more than 5 grams is in concentrated form.

Can I Ship Cannabis in Surprise?

No. Shipping cannabis in Surprise across state lines is illegal under federal law, as the United States Controlled Substance Act lists marijuana as a banned substance. Note that transportation across state lines is governed by federal law.

Can I Order Cannabis Online in Surprise?

You cannot order cannabis online from dispensaries located in Surprise as there are no weed dispensaries established in the city.

Are there 24-hour Dispensaries in Surprise?

No. There are no 24-hour dispensaries in the City of Surprise.

Can Tourists Use Dispensaries in Surprise?

There are no cannabis dispensaries in the City of Surprise. However, when dispensaries open in the city, tourists can use adult-use weed dispensaries if they have valid government-issued ID cards showing they are 21 or older. Out-of-state patients in Surprise may not purchase from licensed dispensaries but are allowed to possess up to 70 grams of usable cannabis.

Do You Need ID for Dispensary in Surprise?

You need a valid ID showing you are 21 or older to enter an adult-use dispensary in the city. If you want to buy medical cannabis, you need an ADHS-issued medical marijuana registry identification card to enter a medical cannabis dispensary.

Best Dispensaries in Surprise

There are currently no weed dispensaries in the City of Surprise.

Do Dispensaries Scan your ID in Surprise?

Although there are no dispensaries in the city, weed dispensaries scan their customers' IDs to ensure purchases are kept within the limits stated under state law.

How Many Dispensaries are in Surprise?

There are currently no cannabis dispensaries in Surprise.

Can Dispensaries in Surprise Take Credit Cards?

While there are no dispensaries in the city, cannabis dispensaries do not usually accept credit cards. Transactions are typically completed with cash.

How Many Dispensaries Can You Visit in One Day?

You can visit multiple dispensaries in one day. However, you cannot buy more cannabis than is allowed under Arizona law. Note that there are no dispensaries in Surprise even though the city permits the operations of cannabis dispensaries.

Do Dispensaries in Surprise Take Health Insurance?

There are no marijuana dispensaries in the city. However, with health insurance companies guided by federal laws, health insurance policies do not typically cover cannabis purchases.

Do Dispensaries in Surprise Track How Much Weed You Buy?

Yes. In compliance with state law, Surprise weed dispensaries will track how much weed customers purchase.

Can You Enter a Dispensary in Surprise at Age 18?

No. You must be 21 or older to enter a recreational dispensary anywhere in Arizona. However, you may enter a licensed medical marijuana dispensary if you are 18 or older.

Where Can I Find the Surprise Cannabis Regulator’s Contact Information?

The Arizona Department of Health Services regulates marijuana activities in Surprise and statewide in Arizona. The ADHS is at:

150 N. 18th Avenue, Suite 400

Phoenix, AZ 85007

Phone: (602) 364-2536

How Do I Report Illegal Cannabis Activities in Surprise?

You may report illegal cannabis activities in Surprise to the Surprise Police Department by calling the PD at (623) 222-4000. You may also file a complaint with the ADHS or use the Arizona Department of Health Services marijuana facility complaint form if the activity is related to a licensed marijuana facility or establishment.