Visiting Phoenix for Final Four? What to know about weed laws, gambling and to-go cocktails

Laura Daniella Sepulveda, Arizona Republic
·4 min read

With the NCAA March Madness Final Four 2024 close at hand, the metro Phoenix area is gearing up to receive visiting fans wanting to enjoy some college basketball.

The awaited tournament is finally coming to the Valley, and with it, a line-up of weekend plans in downtown Phoenix and near Glendale's State Farm Stadium, the competition's venue.

There's something for everyone happening April 5-8, even for non-basketball fans. However, for those visiting from out of state, there are a few things to keep in mind before partaking in the weekend plans and heading to the Valley for the NCAA Final Four.

Is sports betting legal in Arizona?

You can legally gamble on sporting events and fantasy sports in Arizona.

The U.S. Department of Interior approved the amended tribal-state gaming compact in 2021, finalizing an agreement signed by Governor Doug Ducey and the state’s tribal leaders. It is legal to sports bet in person or online via mobile sportsbook apps.

Is marijuana legal in Arizona?

Marijuana was legalized in the state in 2020, becoming one of 23 states, plus Washington, D.C., that has fully legalized recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older.

Yet, there are still some regulations in place for marijuana use, and anyone buying, selling, growing, possessing or using it should be aware of the legal limits.

Smoking or vaping marijuana in public is illegal, whether it is medical or not. Smoking cannabis in public may be punishable by a fine of up to $500 for a first-time offense.

Adults of age can possess up to an ounce of flower and five grams of concentrate, which includes forms like the hash oil inside a marijuana vape pen. Medical card holders can possess more than twice as much.

Selling marijuana remains a felony except for licensed establishments. Arizona has fewer marijuana sales licenses than some states that have legalized, but storefronts are numerous in urban areas.

Consumers can legally purchase up to 28 grams of cannabis per dispensary transaction.

What time do stores stop selling alcohol in Arizona?

Liquor stores, as well as beer and wine vendors, cannot sell alcohol from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. every day.

Bars, restaurants, wineries, breweries and events must stop selling alcohol from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. every day, and customers must stop drinking by 2:30 a.m. You must be 21 years old or older to drink alcohol.

Restaurants with liquor licenses must serve food until 10 p.m.

Can I buy to-go cocktails in Arizona?

Yes. Bars, liquor stores and restaurants can sell to-go cocktails with the proper licenses. Restaurants must offer at least one takeout food item as well.

Can kids be in a bar?

Anyone under 21 years of age can go into a bar if they are with a spouse, parent or legal guardian of legal drinking age or if the minor is working at the bar. But they are not allowed to drink alcohol.

If I am 21, what forms of ID can I use to buy alcohol?

  • An unexpired driver's license issued by Arizona. (Drivers under 21 are issued vertical licenses, which are not acceptable to buy alcohol. When drivers turns 21, they must order a new horizontal license if they wish to make alcohol purchases. Order the license at https://azmvdnow.gov/home.)

  • An unexpired driver's license issued by another U.S. state, the District of Columbia or territory of the United States or Canada if the license includes a picture of the person and the person's date of birth.

  • An unexpired non-operating ID. (Cards issued by Arizona with a vertical design when the person was under 21 are not acceptable to buy alcohol. After turning 21, people can order a replacement horizontal ID at https://azmvdnow.gov/home. With that, they can make alcohol purchases.)

  • An unexpired armed forces ID that includes the person's picture and date of birth.

  • A valid unexpired passport or a valid unexpired resident alien card that contains a photograph of the person and the person's date of birth.

What is the penalty for using a fake ID in Arizona?

People under 21 who buy alcohol or use a false ID can be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor, be sentenced to jail and lose driving privileges.

Wine delivery

Senate Bill 1381 allows consumers to order wine by phone or online and have it shipped directly to their homes or businesses. Wineries must have a direct shipping license from Arizona's liquor department. Previously, only small wineries could ship directly to consumers.

Reporter Laura Daniella Sepulveda covers breaking news for the Arizona Republic. Contact her at laura.sepulveda@gannett.com.

Former Arizona Republic consumer reporter Rebekah L. Sanders contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Can I gamble, drink and smoke in Arizona? What to know before Final Four