By Corinne Murdock |

While going to or from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, travelers may now make a pit stop at a new nearby marijuana shop.

The store is one of 16 locations in the state owned by Curaleaf, a marijuana dispensary company with 147 locations across 17 states. There are three other marijuana stores near the airport as well: JARS Cannabis, Local Joint by Zen Leaf, and Sunday Good Dispensary. 

Marijuana remains illegal under federal law. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) lists marijuana as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act: the highest classification shared by some of the most addictive and dangerous illicit drugs, like heroin and crack cocaine. The DEA describes Schedule I drugs as those with high potentials for abuse and creation of severe addiction.

Current DEA data reports that long-term, regular use of marijuana can lead to both physical and psychological dependence and withdrawal, as well as health problems such as bronchitis, emphysema, bronchial asthma, and suppression of the immune system.

The DEA’s take on marijuana may be subject to change in the near future. Last month, the DEA confirmed it was conducting a review to reschedule marijuana. Days later, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) released hundreds of documents outlining its recommendation to DEA to reschedule marijuana to a Schedule III drug. 

In the meantime, current DEA scheduling means that marijuana products may not be transported over state lines, even between two states that have legalized marijuana — the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) technically prohibits the inclusion of marijuana in checked and carry-on bags. Officially, passengers may only bring products with .3 percent THC or less on a dry weight basis, or those approved by the FDA. 

However, the TSA does disclose that its officers don’t actively look for marijuana during bag checks, and that it’s ultimately up to the officers to determine whether the passenger may proceed to travel with marijuana items.

“TSA’s screening procedures are focused on security and are designed to detect potential threats to aviation and passengers,” states TSA. “Accordingly, TSA security officers do not search for marijuana or other illegal drugs, but if any illegal substance is discovered during security screening, TSA will refer the matter to a law enforcement officer. The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.”

That room for personal judgment appears to be in active use at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, according to travelers. 

In recent months, some online users out of Phoenix claimed in a Reddit forum that they traveled successfully in and out of the airport with marijuana products. 

According to the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) data, there are 200 marijuana facilities and nearly 20,000 providers in the state. 

The state legalized recreational marijuana use in 2020. The ballot measure, Proposition 207, ensured that adults over the age of 21 may possess up to an ounce of marijuana legally. 

The state imposes both a transaction privilege tax and a 16 percent excise tax on marijuana sales. 

Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.