Arizona’s House of Representatives voted 53 to 1 today to approve House Bill 2179, concurring with the Senate’s 28 to 1 vote on April 29. The legislation now heads to Governor Katie Hobbs for consideration.
Arizona State Capitol Building.
Filed last month by State Representative Selina Bliss (R), HB 2179 establishes comprehensive advertising restrictions for licensed marijuana businesses and nonprofit medical marijuana dispensaries. The new rules are designed to prevent marketing that could appeal to individuals under the age of 21.
If signed into law or allowed to become law without a signature, the bill would ban marijuana advertisements that include cartoons, toys, fictional characters, or any branding commonly associated with products marketed to children. It would also prohibit depictions of marijuana consumption and disallow marketing that emphasizes THC potency levels.
Advertising would be barred in a variety of locations, including airports, public transportation, and on billboards within 1,000 feet of schools, churches, parks, childcare centers, and addiction recovery facilities. Online and social media advertisements would only be allowed if at least 73.6% of the expected audience is 21 or older.
All marijuana ads would be required to include a health warning in black font on a white background, occupying no less than 10% of the total ad space. The warning must read: “Do not use marijuana if you are under 21 years of age or pregnant. Keep marijuana out of reach of children.”
Violations would be enforced by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, with additional oversight from the Department of Health Services. Businesses would have seven days to correct violations after being notified.
If enacted, the bill would take effect July 1, 2026.
