Volume 2, Issue 8
ARIZONA MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM NEWSLETTER
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Arizona Medical Marijuana Program Newsletter August 2014 UPDATING AND INFORMING QUALIFYING PATIENTS
IN THIS ISSUE:
Director to Add PTSD to Qualifying Conditions
department’s interpretation of the rule is not valid.”
In December 2013, the Arizona Department of Health Service’s Director, Will Humble, denied a petition to add Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to the list of debilitating conditions. He denied the petition due to the lack of scientific evidence documenting whether cannabis is helpful to treat or provide palliative care for PTSD.
Also during the hearing, the petitioners referred to a manuscript that found an association between cannabis use and PTSD symptom reduction in some patients. That article was published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs in March 2014. The information presented by the petitioners at the hearing and the journal article provided evidence that marijuana may be helpful in the palliative care of PTSD in some patients.
The petitioners appealed to the Arizona Office of Administrative Hearings. The Administrative Law Judge ruled that “…the Appellant’s appeal is granted and that PTSD is added to the list of debilitating conditions for which marijuana may be dispensed.” Among the reasons the judge issued his recommendation was the department’s rules invite petitioners to submit information other than peer-reviewed data with their petition, and the Department’s determination “was based on its review of peerreviewed articles. By limiting its evaluation to those articles…the
Guidelines and Resources Out of State Medical Marijuana Patients Visiting Arizona Designated Caregivers
August 20133
This July, Director Humble issued a decision allowing patients who are undergoing conventional treatment for PTSD to apply for a medical marijuana card. Physician certifications will be for palliative care of PTSD symptoms only (not treatment). Certifying physicians will have to attest that the patient is undergoing conventional treatment for PTSD. This decision takes effect January 1, 2015, after new policies and procedures are in place.
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Featured Protecting Children from Accidentally Eating Marijuana Edibles Page 3
Common Questions This section answers some of your most commonly asked questions. Page 4
List of Operating Dispensaries An updated list of operating dispensaries. Page 5
ARIZONA MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM NEWSLETTER
DID YOU KNOW?
For patients or caregivers authorized to cultivate, state law limits the number of plants that may be grown (12 per patient) and requires the plants to be in an enclosed, locked facility that would prevent a non-cardholder from accessing the plants. FAST FACTS
96.9% Of Arizonans now live within 25 miles of an operating dispensary. Patients who live within this distance at the time of their application cannot grow their own marijuana nor designate a caregiver to grow for them.
QUESTIONS? Email m2programsupport@azdhs.gov. Patients can also live chat with Program staff Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The live chat function can be found by visiting the Program’s website, http://www.azhealth.gov/medicalmarijua na/ For dispensary questions, please email m2dispensaries@azdhs.gov.
Out of State Medical Marijuana Patients Visiting Arizona The Arizona Medical Marijuana Act (AMMA) provides that a person is a “visiting patient” if he/she has been diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition in another state. Further, if a visiting patient has been issued a card or its equivalent to possess or use marijuana for medical purposes, that card has the same force and effect as a card issued in Arizona under the AMMA. A visiting patient would be responsible to abide by the same laws provided in the AMMA for their medical use of marijuana. They may be presumed to be within the medical use of marijuana if they present a card or its equivalent issued by their residing state and they possess no more than the allowable amount under the AMMA (2.5 ounces of usable marijuana in a 14 day period). Visiting patients cannot purchase their medication at a dispensary and cannot cultivate marijuana in Arizona.
Designated Caregivers A qualifying patient under the age of 18 is required to have a parent or legal guardian serve as their caregiver. An adult qualifying patient can choose to designate or remove a caregiver at any time. Caregivers may provide assistance to their patients with the medical use of marijuana.
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This can include help in using or purchasing medical marijuana at a registered dispensary. Caregivers must be 21 years of age or older, cannot have an excluded felony offense and do not have to be a home health aide or other professional caregiver to qualify. The patient can also designate a caregiver to grow marijuana if the patient lives further than 25 miles from a dispensary. The 25 mile rule applies to the patient’s residence address, not the caregiver’s address. Therefore, a caregiver may be authorized to grow for a patient who lives more than 25 miles from the nearest dispensary whether or not the caregiver does personally. A caregiver is designated by the patient and must be registered and approved by the department before assisting the patient. The patient begins the registration process by submitting an application to the department. After the patient’s application has been approved, the caregiver must then submit an application to the department. In order for the caregiver to apply he/she will need the patient’s application identification number. Upon approval of the applications, a card will be issued to the caregiver authorizing the caregiver to provide assistance to the patient. For more information on caregivers, please visit http://www.azhealth.gov/medical marijuana/caregivers/ .
ARIZONA MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM NEWSLETTER
Protecting Children from Accidentally Eating Marijuana Edibles
The Poison and Drug Information Centers in Arizona record the number of toddlers that have accidentally eaten marijuanainfused treats/edibles. There are two centers: one in Phoenix (Banner Good Samaritan Hospital) and the other in Tucson (U of A College of Pharmacology). The Phoenix center receives phone calls related to various poisoning incidents in the State, including few, but relevant cases of accidental ingestion of marijuana-infused edibles by children. Prior to the AMMA, very few children were reported to have experienced accidental ingestion of marijuana-infused edibles. According to the center in Phoenix, after the AMMA became effective, in 2011 the number spiked from four to twelve children. Now, three years after AMMA, these numbers appear to have declined. The number of reported incidents dropped to eight in 2012, five in 2013 and one so far this year.
According to a toxicologist at the center, reports from callers suggested that children were attracted to marijuana-infused brownies, cookies and gummy bears. The center recommends that parents treat marijuana like any other drug and keep it away from children. “It’s always a potential problem even if the numbers aren’t very impressive,” the center’s toxicologist said. “If a child has symptoms after marijuana exposure, we would want them to go to the emergency department.” “Even before marijuana became legal for medical use, the center would get calls every now and then about children getting into marijuana,” added the center’s toxicologist. “Now that marijuana is coming in more attractive forms, these products need to be locked up. Parents and grandparents need to keep in mind that it’s still a drug and needs to be handled very carefully.” The Director of the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center in Tucson agrees. Since 2010, doctors reportedly treated four toddlers with potential exposure to marijuana. One patient was a 2-year-old, another was a 1-year-old, and two were 10-month-old children. Two were
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admitted to the hospital and two were observed in the emergency room. Tucson’s Center Director stated, “All children did well as an outcome.” According to the center, the concentration of THC, which is the chemical that creates a feeling of being “high”, in modern marijuana often is higher than it was 20 years ago and can easily lead to a child becoming comatose. Additionally, the suspicion of ingestion may not be noticed immediately after eating marijuana as opposed to smoking marijuana. The effects of marijuana can be recognized almost an hour after ingesting it or about ten minutes after inhaling. The effects from marijuana peak about 2-3 hours after ingestion or about 30 minutes after smoking. If you have questions or concerns about symptoms following confirmed or possible marijuana ingestion or inhalation that appear to cause distress, the Poison Control hotline is 1-800222-1222. Experts are available 24 hours a day, 365 days each year. Callers will be asked to provide general demographic information and may remain anonymous if they choose, and it’s free.
ARIZONA MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM NEWSLETTER
Common Questions The department receives many questions about the Program every day. You can submit any questions you would like answered in the newsletter by emailing m2programsupport@azdhs.gov. Check here for answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.
Q
UESTION:
Can my caregiver charge me money for medical marijuana?
A
NSWER:
A caregiver cannot charge his or her patient for assisting with the medical use of marijuana. If a caregiver has incurred costs, he or she may be reimbursed by the patient only for those costs. Additionally, the caregiver must be the designated caregiver connected to that particular patient through the department’s registration process.
Resources Arizona Department of Health ServicesMedical Marijuana Program Website: http://www.azhealth.gov/medicalmarijuana/ (includes chat function) Email: m2programsupport@azdhs.gov or m2dispensaries@azdhs.gov
Frequently Asked Questions: http://www.azhealth.gov/medicalmarijuana/faqs/index.php
Poison Control Hotline Phone: 1-800-222-1222
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ARIZONA MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM NEWSLETTER
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List of Operating Arizona Licensed Dispensaries—as of 8/1/2014 Dispensary Name Apache Junction Nature’s Wonder Inc. Benson Total Accountability Patient Care, Inc. Bisbee Natural Relief Clinic Inc. DBA: Green Farmacy Black Canyon City Total Accountability Systems I, Inc. DBA: BC Wellness Center Bullhead City Valley Healing Group, Inc. Casa Grande Medical Pain Relief, Inc. Cave Creek Arizona Natural Selections Chino Valley Organica Patient Group Inc. Cochise Cathy's Compassion Center Coolidge The Desert Valley Pharmacy Inc. Cottonwood Yavapai Herbal Services, Inc. El Mirage Arizona Cannabis Society LLC Eloy Jamestown Center Flagstaff Desertview Wellness & Healing Solutions DBA: Green Pharmacy High Mountain Health LLC RCH Wellness Center LLC DBA: Greenhouse of Flagstaff Fountain Hills Sixth Street Enterprises, Inc. DBA: Nature's AZ Medicines Inc. Gilbert Absolute Healthcare Inc.
Address
Phone Number
68 S. Ironwood Drive
(480) 982-1529
226 E. 4th St.
(520) 586-8710
1191 S. Naco Hwy
(520) 686-8708
34550 S. Old Black Canyon Hwy Ste. 101
(623) 374-5460
2840 Highway 95, Ste. 422
(928) 758-3830
1860 E. Salk Dr., Ste. B-1
(520) 350-9880
6812 E. Cave Creek Rd. #3
(480) 575-1245
856 S. State Route 89
(928) 636-5566
1825 W. Dragoon Road
(866) 291-8797
1302 W. Industrial Dr. Bldg #7
(520) 723-7710
675 E. State Route 89A
(928) 634-5233
8376 N. El Mirage Rd. Bldg. 2, Ste. 2 (888) 249-2927 3755 W. Houser Rd.
(520) 233-7389
7121 N. HWY 89
(928) 522-6337
1250 S. Plaza Way Ste. A (928) 774-5467 460 N. Switzer Canyon Dr. Suite 100 (928) 351-7775
16913 E. Enterprise Dr.
(480) 420-3135
175 S. Hamilton Pl. Bldg. 4 Ste. 110 (480) 361-0078
ARIZONA MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM NEWSLETTER
Glendale Arizona Organix PP Wellness Center DBA: The Greenhouse Globe Globe Farmacy Inc. Golden Valley Nonprofit Patient Center Goodyear Valley of the Sun Medical Dispensary Inc. Holbrook Natural Herbal Remedies Inc.
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5301 W. Glendale Ave. 8160 W. Union Hills Dr. Ste A 106
(623) 937-2752 (623) 385-1310
200 N. Broad St.
(928) 793-4410
9313 N. US Highway 93
(928) 224-5959
16200 W. Eddie Albert Way
(623) 932-3859
752 Navajo Blvd.
(928) 524-2121
1691 Industrial Blvd.
(928) 453-9333
2095 Northern Avenue
(928) 692-0000
49237 W. Papago Rd. Ste. 3
(520) 568-7505
10580 S. State Route 69
(928) 227-2658
938 E. Juanita Ave. 7343 S. 89th Pl. 3321 N. Reseda Circle Ste. 50 & 61 2152 S. Vineyard Road, Ste. 120
(480) 272-9888 (480) 888-0247 (480) 830-8251 (480) 686-9302
6870 S. HWY 95 Ste. 251
(928) 768-4665
Lake Havasu City High Desert Healing LLC DBA: Havasu Green Kingman CJK Inc. Maricopa Ponderosa Botanical Care Inc. Ponderosa Releaf Mayer Natural Earth Providers, Inc. DBA: Arizona Grassroots Dispensary Mesa The Giving Tree Wellness Center of Mesa Inc. Health For Life, Inc. Soothing Options, Inc. Kind Meds, Inc. Mohave Valley Herbal Assist Inc. DBA: Mohave Green Oro Valley Catalina Hills Botanical Care, Inc. DBA: Catalina Hills Care Page The Kind Relief Inc. Parker High Desert Healing LLC DBA: Parker Green
12152 N. Rancho Vistoso Blvd. C-140 (520) 797-3053
1500 Coppermine Rd.
(928) 645-0222
3956 Moovalya Estates Dr. Ste. A-C (928) 667-0000
ARIZONA MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM NEWSLETTER
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Payson Desert Medical Campus Inc.
200 N. Tonto
(928) 474-2420
9275 W. Peoria Av.
(623) 878-5954
2630 W. Indian School Rd.
(623) 321-5010
14 S. 41st Pl.
(602) 396-5757
1613 N. 40th St.
(602) 275-1279
2620 W. Encanto Blvd. 10040 N. Metro Parkway West 4126 W. Indian School Rd. 21035 N. Cave Creek Rd. Ste, C5
(888) 633-7411 (602) 870-8700 (602) 635-3502 (602) 842-5790
2439 W. McDowell Rd.
(480) 420-3145
4201 E. University Dr. 6330 S. 35th Ave. Ste 104 21617 N. 9th Ave.
(602) 437-1645 (602) 276-3401 (623) 242-9080
123 Merritt Street
(928) 778-5900
6287 E. Copper Hill Drive, Suite A
(928) 227-2441
511 E. Main St.
(928) 927-4200
1115 Circulo Mercado
(520) 281-1587
1362 Thatcher Blvd.
(928) 432-6959
1732 W. Commerce Point Pl.
(520) 289-8030
8729 E. Manzanita Drive
(480) 991-3752
465 Jordan Rd.
(928) 282-8122
1633 S. Highway 92, Suite 7
(520) 335-8570
DBA: Uncle Herb's Health Center Peoria Green Desert Patient Center of Peoria DBA: Arizona Natural Selections Phoenix AD, LLC DBA: Urban Greenhouse Arizona Natures Wellness DBA: Bloom Dispensary Phoenix AZ Compassionate Care, Inc. DBA: TruMed Encanto Green Cross Dispensary Horizon the Health Center Herbal Wellness Center, Inc. AAA Cinbad, Inc. DBA: The Holistic Center Sixth Street Enterprises, Inc. DBA: Nature's AZ Medicines Inc. PARC Phoenix Relief Center Inc. The Giving Tree Center of North Phoenix Inc. Prescott 203 Organix, LLC Prescott Valley Yavapai Herbal Services Inc. Quartzsite Wickenburg Alternative Medicine LLC Rio Rico Greenmed, Inc. Safford Natural Remedy Patient Center Sahuarita Broken Arrow Herbal Center, Inc. DBA: Salud Health + Wellness Scottsdale Monarch Wellness Centers, Inc. Sedona Zonacare Sierra Vista Phytotherapeutics of Tucson
ARIZONA MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM NEWSLETTER
Springerville Natural Relief Clinic Inc. DBA: Green Farmacy Superior Superior Organics Surprise All Greens Inc. Taylor Compassionate Care of AZ, Inc. DBA: Kompo Care
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334 E. Main Street
(928) 239-8493
750 S. Belmont Ave.
(520) 689-1960
13431 W. Westgate Dr. Suite #103
(623) 214-0801
600 S. Centennial Blvd.
(928) 536-5151
2009 E. 5th St. Ste. 11
(480) 245-6751
710 W. Elliot Rd. Ste. 102
(480) 777-2100
Earth's Healing Inc.
2075 E. Benson Highway
(520) 373-5779
Green Medicine
112 S. Kolb Rd.
(520) 886-1003
PurpleMed Inc.
1010 S. Freeway Suite 130
(520) 398-7338
Rainbow Collective Inc.
4695 N. Oracle Rd. Ste #117
(520) 293-3315
The Green Halo LLC
7710 S. Wilmot Rd.
(520) 664-2251
Copper State Herbal Center, Inc.
6205 N. Travel Center Drive
(520) 395-0230
8060 E. 22nd St. Ste. 108
(520) 886-1760
4120 E. Speedway Blvd.
(520) 207-2753
221 E. 6th Street, Ste. 105
(520) 838-0492
Nature Med Inc.
5390 W. Ina Rd.
(520) 620-9123
The Herbal Pharmacy of Central Arizona, Inc.
10134 N. Oracle Road, Ste. 170
(520) 955-9233
1175 W. Wickenburg Way Ste. 4
(928) 684-8880
324 E. Railroad Avenue
(928) 635-9966
Tempe Salubrious Wellness Clinic Inc. DBA: SWC Tempe Verde Dispensary DBA: Harvest of Tempe Tucson
DBA: Southern AZ Integrated Therapies
DBA: Bloom Dispensary Tucson
DBA: The Apothecary Medmar Tanque Verde, LLC DBA: Desert Bloom Releaf Center Rainbow Collective Inc. DBA: The Prime Leaf Verde Wellness Center, Inc. DBA: The Downtown Dispensary
Wickenburg MMJ Apothecary Williams Cannabis Research Group Inc. DBA: Route 66 Wellness Center
ARIZONA MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM NEWSLETTER
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Winslow The Medicine Room, LLC
2015 W. 3rd Street
(928) 852-4169
11200 W. Michigan Ave. Ste 5
(623) 444-5977
4104 E. 32nd St.
(928) 920-7778
Youngtown AAA Medical Marijuana Dispensary LLC DBA: Swell Farmacy Yuma Jamestown Center