County Will Allow Sites in Unincorporated Areas The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a zoning ordinance allowing medical-marijuana dispensaries in Maricopa County's unincorporated areas, winding down more than two years of resistance in the face of an adverse Superior Court order. Maricopa County previously had a zoning classification that blocked medical marijuana dispensaries within the county's jurisdiction. The county stood firm on that policy despite voter approval of the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act in 2010, which put the state's medical-marijuana program into effect in many Valley cities. [continues 736 words]
Nevada lawmakers on Friday toured a medical-marijuana dispensary in Glendale to learn how the system works in Arizona. Arizona is still early in the process of opening dispensaries. Sen. Tick Segerblom of Nevada said there are concerns in Nevada that opening dispensaries there could open room for abuse, especially by minors. "I figure that if Arizona can do it - the most conservative state in the country - there's no reason that Nevada can't do it," Segerblom said. Four Nevada senators and an assembly member visited Arizona Organix on Friday, then traveled to the state Capitol to meet with Arizona legislators. [continues 61 words]
Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery is alleging that an attorney who represents a proposed medical-marijuana dispensary violated ethics rules by attempting to dissuade the Board of Supervisors, Montgomery's client, from taking his advice. Acting on that advice, the Board of Supervisors declined to follow the state's medical-marijuana law and has disallowed medical-marijuana dispensaries or cultivation sites within the county's jurisdiction. Montgomery had warned the board that county employees who carry out the state law may be subject to federal prosecution because marijuana is not a federally approved drug. [continues 553 words]
Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery will join in on the state's request for a declaratory judgment on medical marijuana. The county Board of Supervisors voted 4-0 Thursday morning to authorize Montgomery to file a motion to join the case, which seeks clarification on Arizona's medical-marijuana law and its implications on state and local employees. Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox was not present at the meeting. Montgomery advised the supervisors in a private meeting Thursday morning, urging them to take action to express the county's position against medical pot. Montgomery said he is concerned about potential federal backlash on county employees in implementing the state's medical-marijuana act, which voters approved last November. [continues 127 words]
Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery on Thursday formally advised the Board of Supervisors to opt out of the state's medical-marijuana program "unless and until the potential criminal prosecution of county employees is resolved." He urged supervisors not to accept or process any more applications for medical-marijuana dispensaries or cultivation sites, or to issue any permits on county-controlled land pending the outcome of the state's lawsuit. The state plans to ask the federal government for an opinion on the legality of the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act today. [continues 306 words]
Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery advised the Board of Supervisors this week against issuing permits to medical-marijuana dispensaries on county-controlled lands, fearing a backlash from the federal government. Although Arizona's medical-marijuana program mostly will be run by the state Health Department in cooperation with cities and towns, Maricopa County officials plan to opt out in reaction to mounting federal pressure on states that have legalized medical pot. County officials indicated they would heed Montgomery's advice if he drafts a formal legal opinion, which Montgomery said he plans to do in about a week. [continues 698 words]
The state health department on Monday released its final version of medical-marijuana rules, which detail how dispensaries will be chosen and distributed throughout the state. The release wraps up the state health department's four-month rule-making process. Arizona's medical-marijuana program officially begins April 14, when the Arizona Department of Health Services will begin accepting patient applications. The program should be fully functioning by the end of the year. In November, voters passed Proposition 203, which will allow qualifying patients with certain debilitating medical conditions to receive up to 2 1/2 ounces of marijuana every two weeks from dispensaries or cultivate up to 12 marijuana plants if they live 25 miles or farther from a dispensary. There will be between 120 and 126 dispensaries throughout the state, proportionate to the number of pharmacies. [continues 542 words]
The state health department released its first draft of medical-marijuana rules late Thursday, providing a glimpse at how the program may work in Arizona. The rules spell out who may qualify for medical marijuana, establish operating criteria for dispensaries and provide strict guidelines for doctors who may recommend marijuana. The release kicks off a three-week public-comment period, but the Arizona Department of Health Services will have final say on how to implement a medical-marijuana program in the state. [continues 1116 words]
The national marijuana-policy group that largely bankrolled Arizona's medical-marijuana initiative held an educational forum Monday to explain key parts of the law, federal marijuana statutes and how medical-marijuana programs were implemented in other states. About 150 prospective participants in the Arizona medical-marijuana program attended the forum. Professionals urged the audience to be informed of the state health department's rule-making process. The Arizona Department of Health Services will release the first draft of its rules on medical marijuana Friday, kicking off a public-comment period. [continues 273 words]
With unofficial election results showing that Arizona voters have approved a medical-marijuana program, state health officials said Monday that they will begin implementing the measure and expect the drug to be in use by late summer 2011. Arizona Department of Health Services Director Will Humble said he expects that by April, the agency will begin reviewing applications from people who want to use medical marijuana or operate a dispensary. The program should be fully functioning by later that summer, when dispensaries have had time to grow the plants. [continues 1071 words]
A Rocky Mountain Poll released Wednesday says three of the 10 propositions on the Nov. 2 ballot have voter support. Proposition 203, the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act, had the greatest support, with 54 percent of registered voters supporting the measure and 32 percent opposing it. Fourteen percent remained undecided. This proposition, if passed, would legalize marijuana for medical use for patients with debilitating medical conditions such as cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and Alzheimer's disease. [end]
State Health Department Fears Cost, Regulatory Challenges Over Proposition 203 If voters approve the medical-marijuana ballot proposition Nov. 2, health officials say the cash-strapped state will have to spend up to $1 million and work under a tight deadline to implement the law. The Arizona Department of Health Services, which opposes the proposition but would be charged with regulating medical marijuana, says Proposition 203 would create huge obstacles for the department. It already is coping with budget and staff cuts and would need to work fast to set up a monitoring system to prevent marijuana from being handed out without department oversight. [continues 933 words]
Supporters and opponents of Proposition 203, the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act, have argued their respective points for several months. Although legalizing medical marijuana isn't a new topic to Arizonans, the provisions in Prop. 203 are complicated. At 34 pages, Prop. 203 is the longest of the 10 propositions on the Nov. 2 ballot. The Arizona Republic answers some questions voters have about the measure. Question: Would people be able to fake pain to get medical-marijuana prescriptions? Answer: This is one of the main concerns of opponents, who tell anecdotes of medical-marijuana abuse in other states. [continues 895 words]
With about five weeks left until Election Day, Arizona Department of Health Services is brainstorming ways to implement a medical-marijuana policy in case voters approve Proposition 203, the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act. The department has spoken out against Prop. 203. If the measure passes, the department will need to draft the administrative code for implementation and set up an electronic-verification system to keep track of records, including doctor recommendations, dispensary applications and cardholder registrations. Finishing the two tasks in 120 days, as outlined in the proposition, will be a challenge to the health department, which has gone through recent budget and staff cuts. [continues 106 words]
Editor's note: This story is the third in a series explaining the 10 propositions that will appear on the Nov. 2 general-election ballot. PROPOSITION 203: Arizona Medical Marijuana Act Proposition 203 would legalize marijuana for medicinal use. Licensed physicians would be able to recommend medical marijuana to patients with debilitating medical conditions, which include cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and Alzheimer's disease. Other conditions can be added to the approved list by the Arizona Department of Health Services through a public-petition process. [continues 803 words]
As debate over Arizona's medical-marijuana proposition heats up, physicians across the state say the proposition is a double-edged sword. Physicians agree that marijuana can provide relief for patients with serious illnesses, but they also find ethical dilemmas in recommending a drug that is not federally approved. Others warn against the potential for abuse similar to prescription pills. If voters approve Proposition 203 on Nov. 2, licensed physicians would be able to recommend medical marijuana to patients with debilitating medical conditions, including cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and Alzheimer's disease. [continues 975 words]
