An Arizona-licensed physician can certify your debilitating medical condition. Before you head out on the lake, know how Arizona's boating law and the California side apply.
Arizona's Medical Marijuana Program is run by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS).
An Arizona-licensed MD, DO, naturopathic, or homeopathic physician completes ADHS's certification form.
Submit through the ADHS portal with the certification, a signed attestation, and your Arizona ID.
$150 for the state card, or $75 with SNAP documentation.
An electronic card, valid for two years, usually within about 10 days of a complete application.
Lake Havasu is Arizona's boating capital. Here's how the law applies once you leave the dock.
It's illegal to operate a motorized boat or personal watercraft that's underway while impaired to the slightest degree. Being entitled to use cannabis under Arizona law isn't a defense.
Operating under the influence with a child under 15 on board can be charged as aggravated OUI, a felony.
The lake is shared with California. Both states allow cannabis, but crossing state lines with it violates federal law.
Havasu National Wildlife Refuge along the Colorado River is federal land, where federal law applies.
Simple rule: designate a sober captain, and never operate a boat or jet ski impaired.
Boating rules from A.R.S. § 5-395. General information only, not legal advice.
Excise tax registered patients don't pay. Regular sales tax still applies.
Per 14 days, compared with the 1-ounce adult-use limit.
Access starting at 18, instead of 21.
*For PTSD, the physician must see evidence that you're currently in conventional treatment. See the ADHS program pages.
Open daily for registered patients and adult-use customers. Lake Havasu City has other licensed dispensaries too, including one near the London Bridge. Show your ADHS card to skip the excise tax, and confirm hours before you go.
See all licensees through the Arizona Department of Health Services.
Beaches, shoreline trails, and quiet coves on the lake's north side — best on a calm morning before the boat traffic picks up.
“We're out on the boat most weekends. Now there's always a sober captain, no exceptions.”
— Mike R., Lake Havasu City“Chemo nausea was the worst part of treatment. My card helped, and the physician made it simple.”
— Carol J., Lake Havasu CityNo. Arizona law prohibits operating a motorized watercraft while impaired to the slightest degree, and being entitled to use cannabis isn't a defense.
No. Crossing state lines with cannabis violates federal law, even though both states allow it.
$150 for two years, or $75 with SNAP documentation. The physician visit is a separate fee.
Not on their own. PTSD qualifies if you're currently in conventional treatment.
On the ADHS Medical Marijuana pages, and boating rules in A.R.S. § 5-395.
Lake Havasu City sits on the Arizona shore of Lake Havasu, a Colorado River reservoir shared with California. It's famous for the London Bridge, rebuilt here stone by stone in 1971, its replica lighthouses, and year-round boating. Lake Havasu City residents follow the same statewide rules as every patient in Arizona's Medical Marijuana Program.
The program operates under the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act (A.R.S. § 36-2801 et seq.), approved by voters in 2010. Adult-use sales followed under Proposition 207 in 2020. ADHS administers both.
Public use is prohibited, driving or boating impaired is illegal, and cannabis remains illegal under federal law. See ADHS for current rules.
Appointments with Arizona-licensed physicians.