Prop 203 passes in Arizona and this is a major leap for those users of medical marijuana. Arizonans have been fighting for this for years and it has finally passed! We’re waiting on our legislature to organize and finalize the law. This should be a major opportunity for new business owners.
Prop. 203 allows Arizona citizens to register with the Arizona Department of Health Services and obtain up to two-and-a-half ounces of medical marijuana every two weeks for medical illnesses. If you happen to live far away from a dispensary you can now grow your own medical marijuana so that you’re not burdened with the long haul to a dispensary. This medical marijuana is intended for use solely to treat and/or alleviate symptoms associated with what the state deems as a “debilitating medical condition.” Though the list of conditions is vast, it includes and is not limited to: Agitation of Alzheimer’s Disease, Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis, Cancer, Crohn’s Disease, Glaucoma, Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, Nail Patella, Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome, Severe Nausea, Severe & Chronic Pain, Seizures and Severe Muscle Spasms.
April of 2011 is when most Arizonans should start seeing dispensaries around town. Phoenix is a large area and consist of many cities including Tempe, Scottsdale, Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Cave Creek, Peoria, Sun City, and tons of others. These cities should have quite a few Arizona Dispensaries based on the amount of people that live in the Phoenix area.
Allowing Arizona citizens to medicate themselves in peace is quite a big step for the State of Arizona. There are some that criticize the passing of Prop 203 – mostly accusing it of being a loophole for people to obtain and smoke marijuana for fun and not for medical use. It’s obvious that these people already obtain marijuana through other illegal methods that only contribute to the survival of the marijuana ‘black market’ and Mexican Drug Cartels. There are several other states with a long history of such laws in place, such as Colorado and California, as a foreshadowing of what will become of Arizona. The problem in these states is not with the marijuana laws, more so it has to do with the loose reigns set around physicians who are allowed to recommend marijuana to any patient who has $150 to shell out. It is the hope of most citizens that Arizona puts strict regulations on users that are using medical marijuana for fun or recreation. This will likely increase the penalties of smokers without medical marijuana cards.
We’re hoping that Arizona treats its patients and its citizens with class. The true medical marijuana user wants to use in peace. These people aren’t dealers or druggies. They’re often functional citizens with disabilities related to a medical condition.