Arizona adults could be purchasing legal marijuana for recreational use by the end of the week.

State health officials began accepting applications Tuesday from sites wishing to sell the drug to anyone 21 and older. 

The state has up to 60 days to review and approve, but agency spokesman Steve Elliott says it's not going to take anywhere near that long.

"The only thing that would really delay it is if the application isn't in order. Through medical marijuana we already have the systems and the operations to process these. It's a matter of taking them, first-in and first-out, and moving them through," Elliot said. 

While Elliot does not guarantee that locations will be selling by the end of the week, he says the department doesn't intend to be a barrier. 

The initial batch of retail sales licenses will be going to shops already set up to provide medical marijuana, simplifying, but not automating, the process.