I don't know anything about the laws in AZ but here in Colorado, it was a very nice process. I needed something to prove I was a resident (DL, utility bill, like that) and not much more. I went to one of the plentiful doctors in town (They advertise in the local paper) and the visit was short, easy and cheap. I then sent in the check ($35 IIRC), paper work certified/return receipt and was allowed to purchase at any of the many local dispensaries.
At most of the places I've been to now, I've found the staff to be really good at getting you the right stuff depending on your needs. Currently I am taking most of mine through a vaporizer, I get 1oz bags of what is refereed to as 'joint mix' (among other things)... What it is, is that at then end of the day (or when re-filling a jar), they empty the 'shake' at the bottom of the jar into a single container. They then sell it in 1oz bags as well as to do their pre-rolled joints. The cost is $60 
I freakin love it. I do on occasion splurge on some nice top shelf stuff at about $30-$40 per 1/8 and I also go now and again to another place that has a weekly special on wax hash at $15 a gram. I'll combine the two and smoke from a bowl... Just wonderful.
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