Medical Marijuana Arizona
MM-AZ: Frequently Asked Questions
Occasionally, while out discussing the events and votes involved in the current medicinal debate we are asked a few questions that end up slightly repetitious. So, we have created this "Frequently Asked Questions" section of the site. Please, read this over, and... if for some reason our views don't agree with yours... feel free to ignore us completely, or not do business with us at all.
Feel free to use the form below to ask any other general questions; perhaps we will post our reply here.
Arizona is not the first state to pass this law; is there anything to learn from other states experience?
The answer to that question is probably the reason why we have rallied to back this law the way we have. Yes, there are volumes to learn from the previous states to pass similar laws. For example: previous laws didn't put limits, both on how many dispensaries could be opened, limits on how much a single customer can purchase in a month, limits on who and who cannot grow their own. This bill is thick with the learning experience of previous states rules, complete with shortcuts and abilities to sidestep many of the problems associated with introducing such a new concept.
If Marijuana is considered a Gateway Drug, would “Arizona Medical Marijuana Act" be a Gateway Drug Law?
No Way!!! This law is designed only to give patients who need marijuana a legal process to supply it. Limits and regulations are in place to insure these dispensaries are only supplying marijuana to those under a doctor's care.
Isn't marijuana available in a pill form? How well does it work?
Marinol, a pill made up of marijuana's most psychoactive ingredient, THC, is available by prescription. For some patients, Marinol works. But for others, this highly potent synthetic drug is too much, "knocking out" many patients shortly after taking the pill. Marinol also does not stimulate appetite as well as whole marijuana commonly does. Marinol is also expensive -- as much as $30,000 a year for one patient's prescription!
With this new law, can I legally grow marijuana?
Yes and No. The law is designed to maintain control over the substance and insure it's use is for medical patients only. However, if you have your state issued Medicinal Card, and live more than 25 miles from a dispensary, you may grow your own. the initiative does specify "two-and-one-half ounces of usable marijuana; and if the qualifying patient's registry identification card states that the qualifying patient is authorized to cultivate marijuana, twelve marijuana plants..."
What good can possibly come from legalizing weed?
How about jobs? Even better jobs for people with disabilities (all employees must have state medicinal card - just like the customers). That will mean jobs for disabled vets, people with MS or Cancer; that is a great thing. And if these Non-Profit Dispensaries... yes, non-profit... handle things correctly, these will be jobs with much needed health benefits!
And tax money! Much needed tax money for the state. Arizona recently passed a tax law for medicinal marijuana taxing the sale for '$20 per Ounce'. My personal number play on that puts it at between 6% and 12.5% in just State Tax for Medicinal Marijuana. That very likely could be hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in state taxes, just from these original 195 dispensaries.
