Arizona must define rules for medical marijuana use
PHOENIX - Voter approval of a ballot measure to legalize medical marijuana in Arizona is just the beginning of getting pot to patients dealing with severe, persistent pain.
Now, the state Department of Health Services must come up with formal regulations to determine who can get medical marijuana and who can sell it.
After ballots are canvassed Nov. 29, the state has four months before the law goes into effect. Teams of workers will work to make sure the rules are in place by April, the health department said Monday.
News of voter approval came Saturday as somewhat of a surprise because the measure was losing by 7,200 votes on Election Day. The gap gradually narrowed until provisional ballots pushed it over the top.
The measure won by just 4,341 votes after more than 1.67 million ballots were counted.
The health department plans to post an initial informal draft of its regulatory rules Dec. 17 followed by a public comment period. People can weigh in on the draft electronically or in person at three public meetings in February.
The department then will post the final rules March 28 and expects to accept the first applications for medical marijuana cards and dispensaries in early April.
"Between now and April is the really heavy lifting," department Director Will Humble said in a video addressing the public about the measure.
The measure will allow patients with diseases including cancer, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and any other chronic or debilitati
Comment on "Arizona must define rules for medical marijuana use"
|
