Starting Nov. 1, vertically integrated marijuana companies in Arizona will be permitted to deliver products to adult-use consumers.
The allowance was included in the final rules approved by Arizona Department of Health Services for the state’s recreational cannabis program.
Under the state’s previous policy, delivery services were available only to Arizona’s medical marijuana patients, a clientele that that has drastically declined the past few years.
In August, Arizona had 92,159 registered patients, down nearly 19% from January, when the patient count was 113,694, according to state data.
Since July 2021, when the MMJ registry hit a high of 313,906 patients, the count has dropped 70.6%.
The Arizona Dispensaries Association (ADA), which represents about 80% of licensed cannabis businesses in the state, applauded regulators for expediting the approval ahead of the Jan. 1, 2025, deadline.
“We are thrilled that the Department of Health’s proactive approach and commitment to implementing a well-thought-out delivery program has helped us reach this landmark moment sooner than expected,” the organization’s executive director, Ann Torrez, said in a statement.