Cannabis Expungement in Arizona

Arizona (AZ)Petition-Based Expungement

Individuals must file a petition with the court to request expungement of eligible cannabis records.

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At a Glance

Expungement Type
Petition-Based
Est. Eligible Records
~200,000
Eligible Offenses
4

Overview

Arizona voters passed Proposition 207 (the Smart and Safe Arizona Act) in November 2020, which legalized recreational cannabis and included provisions for expunging prior cannabis convictions. The law allows individuals convicted of offenses that are no longer illegal under the new law to petition for expungement. This includes possession of up to 2.5 ounces, cultivation of up to 6 plants, and related paraphernalia charges. Arizona's expungement process requires filing a petition with the court, but courts are required to grant petitions that meet the statutory criteria. The process became available on July 12, 2021, and hundreds of thousands of Arizonans are estimated to be eligible.

Eligible Offenses

Application Process

Individuals must petition the court that handled their original case. The petition must demonstrate the offense is now legal or would have been legal under Prop 207. Courts must grant the petition if the criteria are met. No filing fee is required.

Key Facts

1Prop 207 created a petition-based expungement process effective July 12, 2021.
2Eligible offenses include possession, paraphernalia, cultivation of up to 6 plants, and transport of up to 1 ounce.
3Courts must grant petitions that meet the statutory criteria — it is not discretionary.
4No filing fee is required to petition for expungement.
5An estimated 200,000 people are eligible statewide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cannabis offenses can be expunged in Arizona?+
Offenses that are no longer illegal under Prop 207 can be expunged. This includes possession of up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis, up to 5 grams of concentrates, cultivation of up to 6 plants per person, and possession of paraphernalia.
How do I file for cannabis expungement in Arizona?+
File a petition with the court in the county where your conviction occurred. The Arizona Judicial Branch provides standardized forms. No attorney is required, and there is no filing fee. The court must rule on your petition within 30 days.
Will expungement remove my conviction from background checks?+
Yes. Once expunged, the record is sealed and should not appear on standard background checks. The court order requires all agencies to update their records accordingly.

Related State Expungement Laws

Explore cannabis expungement laws in other states with similar programs or neighboring jurisdictions.

CA
California
Automatic Expungement
CO
Colorado
Petition-Based Expungement
NV
Nevada
Petition-Based Expungement
NM
New Mexico
Automatic Expungement

Continue Exploring

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Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Cannabis expungement laws are complex and subject to change. Arizona expungement rules, eligibility criteria, and processes described here are based on publicly available information and may not reflect the most current regulations. Always verify current laws with official Arizona state resources and consult with a qualified attorney before pursuing expungement or record clearing. Cannabismarketcap does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information presented.