Many people don’t realize this, but Arizona has had some pretty weird laws on the books.
Now, with that being said, some of these historic laws are no longer in effect.
In fact, the vast majority of Arizona’s weird and quirky laws and traditions have actually been revised and updated to serve the needs of the modern state and its citizens better.
But it’s still really cool to just look back in time and see what kinds of laws used to be important so that you can get a little glimpse into what history was like years ago for the citizens of Arizona.
Honestly, some of these laws might surprise you!
Let’s dive into it.
Table of Contents
1. No Camel Hunting!
Yes, believe it or not, camel hunting at one point in time was illegal in Arizona.
This might sound crazy without context—but when you hear the story behind it, it actually makes a lot more sense.
Back In 1855, then Secretary of War Jefferson Davis convinced the United States Army to import herds of camels from the Middle East as a means of transporting men and freight across the arid Arizona desert.
Unfortunately, with the start of the Civil War, the program was brought to an end and many of the camels escaped into the Wild.
Seemingly, in a bid to protect the US Army’s investment, camel hunting was outlawed in Arizona.
2. No Pants For Women
Now, to be just a little bit more specific, it was actually technically illegal for residents of Tucson, Arizona, to be seen in public wearing clothing that wasn’t befitting of his or her sex.
And pants, back at the time, were deemed as clothing for males, not females.
Needless to say— the law isn’t enforced in our modern day and age.
3. No Donkeys Sleeping In Bathtubs
If this law seems a little bit zany, you’d be correct.
But back in the day, it made perhaps a little bit more sense.
Here’s the story behind it.
At one point, a town near Kingman, Arizona, was flooded by a local dam.
Incidentally, there just so happened to be a merchant who had allowed his donkey to sleep in a bathtub—which resulted in the donkey taking a floating trip down the river and into a basin about a mile down the valley.
The cost of time, money, and manpower that was spent rescuing the animal resulted in a law being passed that prevented donkeys from sleeping in bathtubs so that such a catastrophe would never be replicated.
4. No Refusing Water
If you’ve ever been to Arizona, then you already know that the landscape and climate boast a formidably arid desert-like terrain.
In the summer, the temperature can easily reach 120° Fahrenheit.
With that being said, this law was originally drafted as a public health and safety measure.
Interestingly, Starbucks eventually found a way to get around this law by charging not for the water, but for the cup, it was served in.
With that being said, this law is actually still on the books—and as a matter of tradition and humanitarian measure, most businesses continue to adhere to it, even to this day.
5. Recreational Weed Is Legal In Arizona
This is actually a newer law and legal development for the state.
But nowadays, if you walk into a legal dispensary in Arizona, you can buy recreational marijuana—as long as you’re 21 years of age or older.
It’s surprisingly easy to do, and it doesn’t even cost that much.
There are also various resources that you can use to find medical marijuana in the state as well.
The process is still a little bit outlandish in the sense that there will probably be an armed guard present, and you’ll need to pass through a sort of ‘secure reception area’ before you actually enter the recreational weed side of the establishment.
But all things considered, it’s actually pretty cool.
Conclusion
There you have it.
Five of the quirkiest, weirdest laws and traditions that have been on the books in Arizona.
If you’re thinking of visiting anytime soon, then these laws may be especially interesting to inquire about locally.
You may hear some pretty wild stories from the old timers in the state!
