Volume 2, Issue 3
ARIZONA MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM NEWSLETTER
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Arizona Medical Marijuana Program Newsletter March 2014 UPDATING AND INFORMING QUALIFYING PATIENTS
Notices and Upcoming Dates Rule Changes up for Public Comment
The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) is proposing rule changes after a Superior Court judge decided in Summer 2013 that part of the medical marijuana rules are unreasonable. The judge ordered ADHS to create new rules that detail a process by which ADHS may consider the reasons why a dispensary has not obtained an approval to operate within a year after being allocated dispensary registration certificate. ADHS also is using this opportunity to refine and clarify other parts of the rules. During the first week of February, ADHS posted the new draft rules along with an online survey for public comment. Some of the proposed changes include measuring the 25-mile rule by road instead of “as the crow flies;” adding seniors, veterans, and patients who receive Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance benefits to the list of people who qualify for discounts on patient registration cards; and clarifying the
requirements for the physician certification form. This process is a “regular” rulemaking, so ADHS will hold oral proceedings during the formal rulemaking period. ADHS expects to establish the new rules by early 2015. To read the rules, visit http://www.azdhs.gov/ops/oacr/r ules/rulemakings/active/index.ph p?pg=medical-marijuana. To officially make public comments about the rules, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/ s/RWLS2DZ. The first comment period ends March 7, but there will be future opportunities to make comments on the draft rules before they are finalized. To read the Director’s blog post about the proposed rule changes, visit http://directorsblog.health.azdhs. gov/?p=5055. Dispensary Registration Certificates ADHS currently plans to accept Dispensary Registration Certificate applications beginning on May 18, 2015 and ending on June 1, 2015. New information about this will be posted on the website and the Director’s blog.
IN THIS ISSUE:
Guidelines and Resources Learn more about the rules surrounding minor patients and about additional resources for all qualifying patients and their caregivers. Page 2
Research The final part in a series of articles summarizing the book Marijuana as Medicine?: The Science Behind the Controversy. Page 3
Your 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?
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Guidelines and Clarifications to the Statute and Rule Minor Qualifying Patients and Medical Marijuana
A patient who is authorized to cultivate also can purchase medical marijuana from a dispensary.
An applicant’s residential address will not be checked for cultivation boundaries (25 miles or more from an operating dispensary) when he or she submits an application to change his or her name or gender or replaces a lost/stolen card. If an applicant moves, requests to add or remove a caregiver, or changes cultivation status, the residential address will be checked.
FAST FACTS
96.7%
Of Arizonans 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.
As a reminder, qualifying patients under the age of 18 may buy medical marijuana from a dispensary only through their caregiver. According to A.R.S. 36-2804.03, “The department may not issue a registry identification card to a qualifying patient who is under eighteen unless . . .(a) custodial parent or legal guardian with responsibility for health care decisions for the qualifying patient submits in writing to … control the acquisition of the marijuana, the dosage and the
frequency of the medical use of marijuana by the qualifying patient.” In addition, caregivers must present their caregiver’s card (as opposed to the minor patient’s) when purchasing marijuana at a dispensary so that transactions can be tracked properly.
Hotline Help a Call Away Like any drug, medical marijuana may interact with prescription and overthe-counter drugs and cause side effects. The Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center provides answers when possible interactions occur and when they pose a threat to human health. The Center fields calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week, answering questions such as what someone should do if he/she accidentally take someone else’s medication or become concerned about a dosage, strain, or with certain side effects and symptoms. The centers that answer calls are located at the University of Arizona College of Medicine and at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center. The Center provides an information sheet about possible side effects of medical marijuana; mild manic episodes, increased heart rate and blood pressure and increased drowsiness are among side effects of taking some drugs with marijuana. (http://www.pharmacy.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/pdfs/Using%20Med %20Marijuana%20final.pdf). The center’s number is 1-800-222-1222.
ARIZONA MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM NEWSLETTER
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Research and Studies Relating to the Medical Use of Marijuana Marijuana as Medicine?: The Science Behind the Controversy, a book published in 2001, looks at the science behind medical marijuana. It is based on a report the Institute of Medicine made for Congress. This is the final installment in a series of articles that will appear in the Arizona Medical Marijuana Newsletter. Each article will review some of the main points from the book. You can read the book online at (http://iom.edu/Reports/2003/M arijuana-as-Medicine-TheScience-Beyond-theControversy.aspx ).
time and resources to the expensive, time-consuming process of developing marijuanabased drugs.
medicines. Due to a variety of factors including international treaties, it is unlikely this will happen in the near future.
While one such drug is on the market (Marinol), its approved uses are limited. In order to be approved for use, the drug had to go through extensive studies and clinical trials.
At this time, it is more likely drugs derived from chemicals within marijuana will be pursued than marijuana as medicine itself.
Medical Marijuana in Context
Clinical trials alone can take five years to complete and cost between $200 and $600 million if all goes smoothly. Since it is already difficult to conduct studies on marijuana because of its classification as a Schedule I drug, many pharmaceutical companies do not see the incentive of developing marijuana-based medicines.
In the final three chapters, the authors consider the future of marijuana as medicine. States continue to legalize the drug for medical and, now, recreational use, but using the drug remains illegal under federal law. This makes it difficult to conduct medical research to understand marijuana more fully.
Cannabinoids not derived from marijuana plants and chemically separated from THC do not share the same classification as marijuana. According to the authors, “These compounds… represent more attractive candidates for drug development than their marijuana-derived counterparts.”
Additionally, until pharmaceutical companies are ensured that pursuing these drugs would be profitable, effective, and safe, many will not choose to allocate
For this reason, many marijuana advocates argue marijuana should be rescheduled entirely, allowing additional research and development of marijuana-based
The authors conclude simply that in the current legal context, marijuana research is difficult. They offer six recommendations for the continued study of marijuana ranging from excluding results due to THC from those from cannabinoids as well as exploring different delivery methods and their respective side effects. Despite the obstacles, marijuana research, and cannabinoid research specifically, has advanced dramatically and often shown promising results. Still, many concerns remain. Continued research, public opinion, and legal issues will all influence the use of marijuana as medicine and its research moving forward. BOOK INFORMATION Marijuana as Medicine?: The Science Behind the Controversy By Alison Mack and Janet Joy National Academy Press,2001
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:
I no longer want to receive a hard-copy version of the newsletter. Can I be removed from this mailing list and still receive the emailed version?
A
NSWER:
To request to be removed from the emailed version or hard-copy newsletter mailing list, patients should email m2programsupport@azdhs.gov with their name, date of birth, address, and request indicating from which list he or she would like to be removed.
Resources Arizona Department of Health ServicesMedical Marijuana Program Website: http://www.azdhs.gov/medicalmarijuana/ (includes chat function) Email: m2programsupport@azdhs.gov or m2dispensaries@azdhs.gov
Frequently Asked Questions: http://www.azdhs.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 3/3/2014 Dispensary Name Apache Junction Nature’s Wonder 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 Green Sky Patient Center of Scottsdale North Inc. Chino Valley Organica Patient Group Inc. Clifton Holistic Patient Wellness Group 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.
Address
Phone Number
68 S. Ironwood Drive
(480) 982-1529
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
234 Chase Creek Road
(928) 432-7212
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
ARIZONA MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM NEWSLETTER
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Gilbert Absolute Healthcare Inc. 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. 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. Mohave Valley Herbal Assist Inc. DBA: Mohave Green Oro Valley Catalina Hills Botanical Care, Inc. DBA: Catalina Hills Care Overgaard Overgaard Compassion Care DBA: Kompo Care Page The Kind Relief Inc. Parker High Desert Healing LLC DBA: Parker Green
175 S. Hamilton Pl. Bldg. 4 Ste. 110 (480) 361-0078 5301 W. Glendale Ave. 8160 W. Union Hills Dr. Ste A 106
(602) 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) 632-4737
938 E. Juanita Ave. 7343 S. 89th Pl. 3321 N. Reseda Circle Ste. 50 & 61
(480) 272-9888 (480) 888-0247 (480) 830-8251
6870 S. HWY 95 Ste. 251
(928) 768-4665
12152 N. Rancho Vistoso Blvd. C-140 (520) 797-3053
3838 State Route 277
(928) 535-5151
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. DBA: Uncle Herb's Health Center
200 N. Tonto
(928) 474-2420
9275 W. Peoria Av.
(623) 878-5954
14 S. 41st Pl.
(602) 396-5757
1613 N. 40th St. 2620 W. Encanto Blvd. 10040 N. Metro Parkway West 4126 W. Indian School Rd. 21035 N. Cave Creek Rd. Ste, C5 2439 W. McDowell Rd.
(602) 275-1279 (888) 633-7411 (602) 870-8700 (602) 635-3502 (602) 842-5790 (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) 852-0878
1633 S. Highway 92, Suite 7
(520) 335-8570
334 E. Main Street
(928) 239-8493
Peoria Green Desert Patient Center of Peoria DBA: Arizona Natural Selections Phoenix Arizona Natures Wellness DBA: Bloom Dispensary Phoenix AZ Compassionate Care, Inc. DBA: TruMed Encanto Green Cross Dispensary Dreem Green Herbal Wellness Center, Inc. The Holistic Center, Inc. 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 Springerville Natural Relief Clinic Inc. DBA: Green Farmacy
ARIZONA MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM NEWSLETTER
Superior Superior Organics Surprise All Greens Inc. Tempe Salubrious Wellness Clinic Inc. DBA: SWC Tempe Verde Dispensary DBA: Harvest of Tempe Tucson Earth's Healing Inc. Green Medicine DBA: Southern AZ Integrated Therapies PurpleMed Inc. Rainbow Collective Inc. DBA: Bloom Dispensary Tucson The Green Halo LLC Copper State Herbal Center, Inc. DBA: The Apothecary Medmar Tanque Verde, LLC Rainbow Collective Inc. DBA: The Prime Leaf Verde Wellness Center, Inc. DBA: The Downtown Dispensary Nature Med Inc. Wickenburg MMJ Apothecary Williams Cannabis Research Group Inc. DBA: Route 66 Wellness Center Winslow The Medicine Room, LLC Youngtown AAA Medical Marijuana Dispensary LLC DBA: Swell Farmacy Yuma Jamestown Center
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750 S. Belmont Ave.
(520) 689-1960
13431 W. Westgate Dr. Suite #103
(623) 214-0801
2009 E. 5th St. Ste. 11
(480) 245-6751
710 W. Elliot Rd. Ste. 102
(480) 777-2100
2075 E. Benson Highway 112 S. Kolb Rd.
(520) 373-5779 (520) 886-1003
1010 S. Freeway Suite 130 4695 N. Oracle Rd. Ste #117
(520) 398-7338 (520) 293-3315
7710 S. Wilmot Rd. 6205 N. Travel Center Drive
(520) 664-2251 (520) 395-0230
8060 E. 22nd St. Ste. 108 4120 E. Speedway Blvd. 221 E. 6th Street, Ste. 105
(520) 886-1760 (520) 207-2753 (520) 838-0492
5390 W. Ina Rd.
(520) 620-9123
1175 W. Wickenburg Way Ste. 4
(928) 684-8880
341 E. Route 66
(928) 635-9966
2015 W. 3rd Street
(928) 852-4169
11200 W. Michigan Ave. Ste 5
(623) 444-5977
4104 E. 32nd St.
(928) 920-7778