Marijuana

Medical-Pot Card Doesn't Provide Immunity to People With More Weed Than Law Allows, AZ Appeals Court Affirms; Patient-to-Patient Transfer Still in Question

Medical-marijuana cardholders can be prosecuted when they possess too much weed or do something else that falls outside the boundaries of state law, the Arizona Court of Appeals ruled last week. It sounds like a no-brainer -- break the law, you could be prosecuted. But the voter-approved 2010 Medic ... More >>

CBS 5's Morgan Loew Got Stat Wrong in Medical-Marijuana Report, DHS Director Will Humble Says

Ninety percent of medical-marijuana cardholders didn't qualify for nothing but "chronic and severe pain," as Channel 5's Morgan Loew reported last week, the director of the Arizona Department of Health Services told us this morning. New Times writer Matthew Hendley wrote several articles recently a ... More >>

Anti-Pot Pinal County Attorney Thanks CBS 5 for Medical Marijuana "Investigation"

Rushing to the defense of CBS 5's severely flawed "investigation" of the state's medical-marijuana program is Pinal County Attorney Lando Voyles, who wants to add to the disinformation campaign.In fact, Voyles sent out a press release including a public thank-you note to CBS 5, thanking them for the ... More >>

CBS 5's Medical-Marijuana Story: "Investigation," or Propaganda?

CBS 5 -- the local news station that claims to be "telling it like it is" -- ran one of the stranger "investigations" we've seen from a local TV station.In the report, "investigative reporter" Morgan Loew told the state health department it was true that he had severe and chronic pain, but then clai ... More >>

CBS 5 "Investigation" Into Medical Marijuana Includes a Made-Up Statistic

CBS 5 -- the local news station that claims to be "telling it like it is" -- prominently displayed a made-up statistic during its recent anti-medical marijuana propaganda piece "investigation."In the report, in which "investigative reporter" Morgan Loew told the state health department it was true t ... More >>

Riding High: Arizona's Zero-Tolerance Stance on Pot and Driving

Will the Feds Ever Shut Down Arizona's Medical-Marijuana Dispensary Industry?

As our colleague Ray Stern pointed out yesterday, it was not even a year ago that Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk declared the feds would shut down every medical-marijuana dispensary in Arizona "as it opens."Stern called bull on Polk's claims at the time, and as you can tell at this point -- sin ... More >>

Medical-Marijuana Destruction Bill Likely Dead, Says Lobbying Firm; Amendments Possible on Pot-Packaging Bill

State Senator Kimberly Yee's plan to let cops seize and destroy medical-marijuana at their whim appears dead, a political consultant for the dispensary industry says. Jason Rose, previously a PR guy for the likes of Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Andrew Thomas, now counts among his clients the Regulated Di ... More >>

Arizona Medical-Marijuana Dispensaries Taking Off; New Shops Open in Glendale, Eloy and Bisbee This Week

The state-regulated medical-marijuana dispensary industry that Arizona voters approved in late 2010 is becoming a reality, with three new retail shops opening this week. Two dispensaries were slated to open today: One in Glendale (the city that already supports the only medical-pot facility in the ... More >>

Russell Pearce's Pal Constantin Querard Pimps Medical Marijuana Industry

As Mr. Zimmerman once crooned long ago, the times they are a changin', and though progress has generally leap-frogged our benighted state, there are odd signs that Arizona is slouching toward the 21th Century, like some rough beast come round at last. See also: -Arizona Organix Steps Out as the Sta ... More >>

Bill Montgomery Loses in Petition to AZ Supreme Court on Medical Marijuana, But Fight Still On

Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery has been shot down by the Arizona Supreme Court in his attempt to expedite a decision about Arizona's medical-marijuana law. Today's decision by the state's highest court to reject Montgomery's petition represents a lost battle for the conservative lawman's ... More >>

Mel McDonald, Former Anti-Drug U.S. Attorney, Speaks Against Pot-Destroying Law

Former anti-drug crusader U.S. Attorney Mel McDonald, who was appointed by President Ronald Reagan, appears to be very serious about defending Arizona's medical-marijuana law as a citizen and father of a patient who uses medical marijuana.You may have seen the video McDonald recorded a couple months ... More >>

Medical Marijuana Supported by Former Anti-Drug, Reagan-Appointed U.S. Attorney

On the list of people we'd probably never expect to come out in support of the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act, we'd probably put an anti-drug crusader U.S. Attorney who was appointed by President Ronald Reagan somewhere near the top of the list.However, we've seen that man, A. Melvin McDonald, all ov ... More >>

Should John Kavanagh Give Up on His Quest for a Repeal of Arizona's Medical-Pot Law?

The second public-opinion poll released in recent weeks on Arizona's medical-marijuana law also shows that voters support the act more than in 2010, when it was approved by voters.The newest poll, from Chad Willems' Summit Consulting Group, says 55 percent of "likely voters" support the law, while j ... More >>

James Chaney, Tempe Pot Club Owner, Busted Again; Charges Were Dropped After '11 Raid

James Chaney, the owner of a Tempe medical-marijuana club that was the site of a shooting last year, was arrested today in a raid of the club and two alleged Tempe "grow houses." In a news release that invites the media to talk to cops about the raids at, hilariously, 4:20 p.m., Tempe police detail ... More >>

Medical-Marijuana "Vapor Lounge" in West Valley Allows Patients to Toke Up, Rent Bongs and Hang Out

A group of medical-marijuana dispensary owners at the State Capital yesterday afternoon urged authorities to shut down unregulated cannabis clubs. Meanwhile, up the road in a small, west Valley strip mall, medical-marijuana patients toked up openly in a "lounge" that has the look, feel, and scent o ... More >>

Rep. John Kavanagh Wants No Exception for Cancer Patients or Anyone Else in Proposed Medical-Pot Repeal

John Kavanagh, the Republican State Representative from Fountain Hills, doesn't want any exceptions in a proposed medical-pot repeal for patients with cancer, AIDS, or any other serious disease. Verifiable illness or not, they would be booked into jail under Arizona's felony possession law like any ... More >>

Teen Use of Marijuana Decreased Since Passage of Arizona Medical-Pot Law, Study Shows

People who thought teens would be using marijuana more because of Arizona's 2010 medical-pot law are wrong, a new study shows. Combined, the percentage of 8th, 10th and 12th graders who reported using marijuana at least once in their lives went from 29.9 percent before the law passed to 28.7 percen ... More >>

Bill Montgomery Fights Arizona Voters on Medical Marijuana Law While President Obama Gives Nod to Legal Pot Use in Two States

Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery is worried he's being forced to violate federal law by implementing Arizona's voter-approved medical-pot law. Meanwhile, President Obama said today that federal law enforcement officials have better things to do then prosecute adult use of marijuana by anyon ... More >>

Arizona Organix Steps Out as the State's First Authorized Medical-Marijuana Dispensary

Glendale Medical-Marijuana Dispensary Could be Open as Soon as Friday -- What Will Sheriff Arpaio Do?

A Glendale medical-marijuana dispensary will be inspected by state officials on Thursday, and is poised to be the first such establishment to open in Arizona. If all goes well with the inspection process, which could take two or three inspectors up to six hours, the dispensary could open as soon as ... More >>

Ninth Circuit Rejects New Hearing on Whether Medical Marijuana is Protected by the ADA

The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has rejected a petition to re-hear arguments that medical marijuana is protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act. In a split decision in May, a three-judge panel of the usually liberal court shot down the idea that the ADA allows sick or disabled peopl ... More >>

Medical-Marijuana Tincture Makers Sue State Over Definition of "Cannabis"

The makers of marijuana-infused "Soccer Mom's Tinctures & Candy" are suing the state in hopes of clarifying what "cannabis" means under the law. Back in March, cops raided the Phoenix home of Doug Arfa and Charise Voss on suspicion that the pair was selling "narcotic" drugs, a search warrant shows. ... More >>

Authorities Subvert Voters, Continue Medical Pot War

Zonka Bar Bust: Arizona's Anti-Pot Zealots Throw Medical-Marijuana Entrepreneurs in Jail

Chris Martin had an idea for a business in Arizona, where voters passed a law that legalizes medical-marijuana "edibles" under certain conditions. Last year, the Zonka Bar was born: Available in chocolate, sugar-free peanut butter and other flavors, and infused with marijuana extract. Like other ed ... More >>

Tom Horne and Bill Montgomery Make Their Move to Nix Arizona's Medical Marijuana Law

See also: Bill Montgomery Declares War on Medical-Marijuana LawSee also: Tom Horne: Arizona Medical Marijuana Act Preempted by Federal Law, in PartSee also: Sheila Polk Misstates AZ U.S. Attorney's Position on Medical MarijuanaSee also: Allan Sobol: Arizona's Medical-Pot Martyr? Arizona's supposed r ... More >>

Allan Sobol: Arizona's Medical-Pot Martyr?

Medical Marijuana Grower Shot and Stabbed in Robbery Could Face Charges

See also: Medical Marijuana Grower Shot and Stabbed During Apparent RobberySee also: Medical Marijuana Grower Who Was Shot Runs a "Compassion ClubSurprise police are not ruling out the possiblity of charges against the medical marijuana grower who was shot and stabbed inside his home Monday in a rob ... More >>

Medical Marijuana Grower Who Was Shot and Stabbed Runs a "Compassion Club"

See also: Medical Marijuana Grower Shot and Stabbed During Apparent RobberyMartin Ridgway, the medical marijuana grower who was shot and stabbed inside his Surprise home yesterday during a robbery, was actually running a "compassion club" out of his house.You can find the website for 420 Compassion ... More >>

Sheriff Scott Mascher's Letter to Governor Jan Brewer Contains Discredited Info on US Attorney's Intentions; Same as Sheila Polk's

See Also: Sheila Polk's Letter to Brewer Misstates AZ U.S. Attorney's Position on Medical Marijuana See Also: Medical Marijuana Dispensary Lottery Coming Tuesday, and Will Be Streamed Live Online A letter about medical marijuana to Governor Jan Brewer by Yavapai County Sheriff Scott Mascher, and ... More >>

Tom Horne: Arizona Medical Marijuana Act Preempted by Federal Law, in Part; Cardholders OK, Dispensaries Could be Nixed by Court

See also: Medical Marijuana Dispensary Lottery Coming Tuesday, and Will Be Streamed Live Online Arizona should not authorize medical-marijuana dispensaries as voters intended because they are against state law, says state Attorney General Tom Horne. But the state's 2010 medical-marijuana law isn' ... More >>

Sheila Polk's Letter to Brewer Misstates AZ U.S. Attorney's Position on Medical Marijuana

See also:Bill Montgomery and Sheila Polk Probed Whether Prop 203 was Constitutional See also: Judge Orders Arizona to Implement Medical Marijuana Act, Tosses Out Four Rules for Dispensary Applicants Is the new Arizona U.S. Attorney, John Leonardo, going to shut down medical marijuana dispensaries ... More >>

Judge Halts State Rule on Medical Marijuana to Help Planned Sun City Dispensary

A county judge has put a halt to a state Department of Health Services rule that is preventing the approval of a would-be medical-marijuana dispensary. White Mountain Health Center wants to open a dispensary in Sun City, but it can't get the county to acknowledge or reject its request for zoning in ... More >>

Marijuana Is Real Medicine for a Long List of Ills

Marijuana Dispensary Loan for $500,000 Doesn't Need to be Paid Back, Judge Rules, Because Pot is Illegal Under Federal Law

A $500,000 loan to a Colorado company intended for a medical-marijuana facility doesn't have to be paid back because pot is illegal under federal law, a county judge has ruled.The bombshell ruling, (tip of the hat to lawyer Richard Keyt's medical-marijuana blog), has major implications for the buddi ... More >>

Will Humble, AZ DHS Director, Not Worried About Running Medical-Pot Program Despite New Federal Warning

If the feds decide to pull up their jackboots and bust state employees for administering Arizona's medical-marijuana program, the director of the state Department of Health Services could be a target.After all, Will Humble is the boss at DHS, the state agency that will be approving applications for ... More >>

Medical-Marijuana Warehouse Brings Pot Growers Together to Serve Patients' Needs

Image: Jamie PeacheyOne of the many medical-pot plants growing at the Arizona Cannabis Society in El Mirage.​ The freedom to grow marijuana granted by the state's 2010 medical-pot law is blossoming along with the plants in an El Mirage warehouse.Bill Hayes, founder of the Arizona Cannabis Soci ... More >>

Arizona Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Likely to be Open This Summer, State Official Says

The first state-authorized medical marijuana dispensaries will likely open in Arizona this summer, said Will Humble, director of the state Department of Health Services.Humble, addressing TV viewers minutes ago on Channel 8's (KAET-TV) Horizon news show, said his agency would be awarding the first l ... More >>

Judge Orders Arizona to Implement Medical Marijuana Act, Tosses Out Four Rules for Dispensary Applicants

​Arizona needs to start up the 2010 Medical Marijuana Act as voters intended, but without several of the rules designed to restrict dispensary applicants, a judge has ordered.Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Richard Gama ruled on the Compassion First, LLC, lawsuit yesterday, noting that voters ... More >>

Medical-Marijuana Law Doesn't Apply on Loop 101 From About McKellips to 90th Street; Pot Patient Says Car Seized by Tribal Cops

Under Arizona's Medical Marijuana Act, motorists with state-issued pot cards can legally transport a small amount of "medicine" in their vehicles -- but not on tribal lands.And those Native American lands include a strip of the Loop 101 freeway that runs from south of McKellips Road to the Pima Road ... More >>

Governor Brewer to Refile Medical-Marijuana Lawsuit, Channel 12 Reporter Brahm Resnik Tweets; UPDATE Reporter Gets Quote Wrong

​ Brahm Resnik of Channel 12 News (KPNX-TV) just tweeted that Governor Jan Brewer "indicates she will refile lawsuit to block medical marijuana law."   UPDATE: We watched Resnik's report -- looks like he got this one wrong. In his 10 p.m. broadcast, Brewer can be seen ... More >>

Governor Brewer to Ponder Medical Marijuana Lawsuit Ruling While Keeping Her Ban on Dispensaries; Supporters of Law Praise Ruling

Governor Jan Brewer and her legal counsel will study today's dismissal of her lawsuit against the medical marijuana law while keeping a ban on dispensaries, a spokesman says.Brewer, with the help of state Attorney General Tom Horne, filed the federal complaint back in May, claiming a letter by a for ... More >>

Governor Brewer's Lawsuit Vs. Medical Marijuana Act Criticized by Federal Judge; Says State Must Choose Sides

U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton hammered Governor Jan Brewer's lawsuit against medical marijuana today in court. Bolton is also the judge in the SB 1070 case.​Governor Jan Brewer's lawsuit against Arizona's medical marijuana law took a beating today in federal court, where a judge told the state' ... More >>

Yoki A Ma' Medical Marijuana Club Busted by Tempe and Nevada Authorities; Six Arrested -- Club Owner Craig Sherf Talks to New Times

​ Tempe police teamed up with Nevada authorities this week to bust the Yoki A Ma' medical marijuana club, arresting six people.It's the latest arrest of people accused of operating clubs that distributed medical marijuana to state-registered patients, and the second to involve a business named ... More >>

State Drops Charges Against DEA-Busted Operators of a Tempe Medical Marijuana Clinic

​All charges have been dropped from September's high-profile bust by the Drug Enforcement Agency of a Tempe medical marijuana clinic.The DEA arrested James Chaney and Rachel Beeder of Arizona Go Green Co-Op on September 29 following a morning raid on the clinic and Chaney's Phoenix home. About 60 ... More >>

Feedback from the Issue of Thursday, November 10th, 2011

In a Strange About-Face, the President Tries to Hack Medical Marijuana Off at the Knees

Feds Target Property Owners of Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in California

The feds launched a new assault in their fight against medical marijuana today, threatening to seize the property of California medical marijuana dispensaries unless they close within 45 days.If there's no push-back from the states that have legalized weed for qualified patients, including Arizona, ... More >>

DEA Raids Medical Marijuana Club in Tempe, Accuses Owners of Running Illegal Dispensary

Image: Facebook Arizona Go Green Co-Op's logo. The medical marijuana club was raided yesterday by the DEA.​Days after helping Phoenix police take down violent gang members, the DEA has gone after a softer target: A medical marijuana club in Tempe.Agents began showing up at the AZ Go Green C ... More >>

Tom Horne, State Attorney General, Asks Court to Shut Down Cannabis Clubs; Says He's Taking "Softer Approach" by Not Ordering Arrests

Tom Horne, state Attorney General, has asked a court to rule on the legality of medical marijuana compassion clubs.​ Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne asked a court today to shut down cannabis clubs, claiming they're "blatantly illegal" under Arizona's medical marijuana law.The motion, filed ... More >>