Pubdate: Sat, 09 Apr 2011 Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ) Copyright: 2011 The Arizona Republic Contact: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/sendaletter.html Website: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24 Author: Parker Leavitt, The Arizona Republic STATE RULES WILL LIMIT GILBERT MEDICAL-MARIJUANA SITES Two groups competing to become Gilbert's first medical-marijuana dispensary unveiled their plans to the Planning Commission this week and both could get a use-permit early next month. Sonoran Star Remedies and Beleaf, Inc. hope to set up in Gilbert's northwestern corridor, where most of the town's industrial parks are. Gilbert prohibits dispensaries outside of industrial districts. While both groups are on track to get town approval, only one will likely win the state certification needed to operate. Aa many as five dispensaries could open in Gilbert because it permits one for every 10 pharmacies. Gilbert has about 50 pharmacies. But state regulations allow just one dispensary in each "community health analysis area" as defined by a map drawn by the Arizona Department of Health Services, Gilbert Senior Planner Mike Milillo said. Gilbert has two such districts, essentially divided by Lindsay Road. State rules allow prospective dispensaries to apply for certification in June. If more than one dispensary in the same CHAA meets all qualifications, the certificate will be granted by random selection. Paul and Robin Schroeder of Gilbert have spoken passionately in favor of medical marijuana at several public meetings and hope the state chooses their "personal, caring, mom-and-pop model." Robin has a degree in botany from Arizona State University and experience working for culinary herb farms and nurseries. Paul has a master's in business administration and what he calls a "strong entrepreneurial spirit." The couple were motivated to launch a dispensary in part by the loss of friends and a family member to cancer, Robin said. "Cancer has truly become a monster," she said, adding that marijuana "not only eases the nausea of chemotherapy and helps patients eat, but it has been shown to have significant anti-tumor properties." Jana Bruof Beleaf said her motivation for running a dispensary is twofold. "Because I come from a medical background, I understand the value of it (marijuana)," Bru said. "If you're going through cancer treatment, it's about the only thing that will settle the stomach and keep you from puking." The other part is business, Bru said. Her longtime friend and prospective partner, Cheryl Van Meter, owns part of a building in the Sunrise Business Park and approached her with the idea of opening a dispensary. Bru's background includes a medical herbal degree, with a master's-level education in photonutrients, and she has experience in mixing and growing herbs like milk thistle and hawthorn. Their proposed 4,200-square-foot dispensary and cultivation site may also offer related products, such as pot-infused lotions, Senior Planner Al Ward said. In an "open letter" to Arizona physicians, ADHS Director Will Humble and Chief Medical Officer Laura Nelson said they hope the state's marijuana industry will remain strictly medical. "In other states that have medical marijuana laws, the vast majority of physicians behave ethically and responsibly, only writing certifications for patients that have true debilitating medical conditions," they wrote. "However, in pretty much every state, there are a handful of physicians that write certifications after only a cursory review of a patient's medical condition. This creates an environment whereby recreational users . . . seek certifications to support their use of marijuana." Paul Schroeder said one potential obstacle to a successful medical-marijuana industry is the stereotype often associated with pot users. "Some folks seem to have the image of dirty hippies dancing in their head," he said. "That is simply untrue, but given our proximity to California, it is often difficult to perceive patients as something other than recreational users." The ADHS expects Arizona doctors to follow certain protocol when considering medical-marijuana certification: Make or confirm a diagnosis of a debilitating medical condition. Conduct an in-person physical examination. Review the patient's medical records. Explain the potential risks and benefits of medical marijuana. Attest that the patient is likely to receive therapeutic or palliative benefit from the use of marijuana. In Chandler, a dispensary proposed near Dobson and Frye roads this week won a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission and will now go before the City Council. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.