Will a marijuana dispensary pop up in your neighborhood at the old payday loan store? It depends. If the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act passes, there could be up to 120 dispensaries (and their indoor cultivation facilities) setting up shop across the state. Where they actually go will depend on what kind of local zoning restrictions exist at the time the application comes in to us. The Initiative just says the dispensaries can’t be located within 500 feet of existing schools (a little more than from the backstop to center field), but that local jurisdictions can “enact reasonable zoning restrictions that limit the use of land for… dispensaries”.
Here’s the rub. Since legal marijuana dispensaries (or cultivation facilities) don’t currently exist, cities, towns and counties don’t have any zoning restrictions in place right now. With the turn-key date of the Initiative only 120 days after the election is certified, cities, towns and counties will need to get on the stick right now in order to have something in place before we get our first dispensary application (assuming 203 passes of course). The way I read the Initiative, if jurisdictions don’t have a restriction in place at the time the application is filed, we’d have no choice but to approve the location as long as it’s 500 feet away from existing schools. It could even be right next to a church, playground, or whatever.
I’ve been reaching out to the League of Cities & Towns so that they can help towns get ready, and I’ve talked to some county folks as well. I’m basically trying to make sure they get ready with zoning restrictions now, so cities etc. don’t get mad at me when we approve a marijuana dispensary license next door to playground or something, because they didn’t have a zoning restriction in place when we got the application.
It does sound like you will have your hands full if this passes. Looks like at least Pima County passed a zoning for CB-2, which might keep it away from schools and such. I do wish Prop 203 had a provision to force anyone involved in there dispensaries to pass drug screening tests as condition of their Medical Marijuana Dispensary Certification. Seems there is a lot of openings for abuse. Any plans on how to monitor these dispensaries? If this passes, I would like to be one to get a Medical Marijuana Dispensary Certificate. I am against the legalization of MJ, but as naive as it may seem, I believe that MJ may really help people with a variety of debilitating medical conditions. All the fears you mentioned I would intend to avoid happening. The last thing I want this to become is just a bunch of legalized drug dealers, who sell legal MJ out the front window to legitimate people in need, and sell or smoke the leftovers to everybody else out the back door. I just don’t know where to start the inquiry process. Where do I apply to get a certificate? Is there a mailing list I get on? I’m guessing that a dispensary will need to grow MJ, but how exactly do you legally obtain starting seeds? I’m a computer programmer, Where would I apply to help write/organize all the stuff your department is going to get stuck developing? Or how would I become one who helps maintain the system? I just like growing things and helping people. I would intend to keep things as transparent as possible, working with ADHS, and law enforcement, and any others that would help enforce an honest business…. Thanks.
We don’t have any additional dispensary requirements spelled out yet- but we will develop them (if 203 passes) during the 120 day implementation period. Also, if it passes, we will start an electronic mailing list right away so we can provide folks with weekly updates. For now, we have some basic information on our website at: http://www.azdhs.gov/prop203/index.htm
will
I was wondering how many Walgreen’s are limited to Arizona or how many Nursing Homes could be licensed in Arizona? I understand the need to issue licenses and follow zoning regulations as well as rules. I always thought we lived in a free market that competition as well as basic economic principles such as supply and demand determined the success or failure of a business. It seems to me that either Marijuana is legal (providing the voters do indeed pass the proposition) or it is not. I am not a lawyer but restrictions on trade (regardless if we agree with it or not) presents the same problems in court as if we tried to restrict the number of libraries because we don’t agree with the books that are there or restricting access to a limited number (thereby creating a monopoly) of dispensaries thereby limiting the number of choices (usually with price). If I could only buy anti-biotics at one pharmacy in Arizona and that was Sam’s Club or Costco, then I think you might have some objections from Walgreen’s or CVC. I have read the proposition and I can find no where within it where only 110 or 120 is going to be allowed. I would think the voters should decide that and not an arbitrary figure that is based on blue sky assumptions. Why we are at it, shouldn’t we limit the number of Doctors in Arizona? How about Nurses? Do we really need that many Nursing homes? I wonder…..
Walter,
The Initiative states that the number of dispensaries would be limited to 10% of the total number of pharmacies in the state (roughly 1,240). So the 120-124 figure that you are reading about is tied to the language in the Initiative in 36-2804 C.
Will
I don’t remember any one talking about zoning restrictions when walgreens or any other drug store came to town and is that not what the dispensaries are, a drug store for the sick and dying. I don’t think we should be thinking of this as we would think of a porno or liquor store that we would not want next to a school or a church but more of what they are intended to be a drug store for the sick and dying. I don’t see any need to restrict the zoning any differently then we would for any other drug store that wanted to open a store in arizona. its not like anyone could just walk in and buy marijuana, you will have to have a doctors prescription to even enter the store. I think you are over reacting mr will humble and trying to make to much ado a bought nothing. arizona already has enough red tape and waste in are state legislators we don’t need to dump unnessory red tape on there laps.
I’m only trying to make cities aware of the decisions they may need to make if this passes.
I am interested in knowing the procedures for obtaining a marijuana dispensary license including any financial and background qualifications. I have worked in health care for 15 years and understand the potential of the relief given with the passing of this bill that eventually will provide many individuals with chronic conditions the best alternative medical relief with the access to legalized perscriptions to marijuana.
Hi,
Please take a look at our website at http://www.azdhs.gov/ .
We have posted all of the information that we have at this point, and will update it as soon as more information becomes available.
Thanks
Will
Will,
I too am worried about the dispensaries being in the wrong hands. I have been to California and witnessed how easy it is to get a perscription and obtain marijuana for non-debilitating issues. I have been to the ADHS website but have a question that wasn’t answered on the site. Can you start the non-profit up before Nov. 2nd. I am wanting to be as prepared as possible so that my application will be approved before the wrong people get them. I am hoping the state puts strong restrictions on getting a license. Also, do you have any idea what the cost of the license will be?
Thank you in advance for your help
Elizabeth,
I don’t believe that anybody could begin any operations until they had a license. I presume that a shell organization could be set up..as long as no operational activities that require a license occurred. The dispensary license would most likely be at the Initiative maximum of $5K for year one-since this will be the only initial revenues source for us to run the program.
Will
It does sound like you will have your hands full if this passes. Looks like at least Pima County passed a zoning for CB-2, which might keep it away from schools and such. I do wish Prop 203 had a provision to force anyone involved in there dispensaries to pass drug screening tests as condition of their Medical Marijuana Dispensary Certification. Seems there is a lot of openings for abuse. Any plans on how to monitor these dispensaries? If this passes, I would like to be one to get a Medical Marijuana Dispensary Certificate. I am against the legalization of MJ, but as naive as it may seem, I believe that MJ may really help people with a variety of debilitating medical conditions. All the fears you mentioned I would intend to avoid happening. The last thing I want this to become is just a bunch of legalized drug dealers, who sell legal MJ out the front window to legitimate people in need, and sell or smoke the leftovers to everybody else out the back door. I just don’t know where to start the inquiry process. Where do I apply to get a certificate? Is there a mailing list I get on? I’m guessing that a dispensary will need to grow MJ, but how exactly do you legally obtain starting seeds? I’m a computer programmer, Where would I apply to help write/organize all the stuff your department is going to get stuck developing? Or how would I become one who helps maintain the system? I just like growing things and helping people. I would intend to keep things as transparent as possible, working with ADHS, and law enforcement, and any others that would help enforce an honest business…. Thanks.
Anonymous
Please visit http://www.azdhs.gov for more information.
We intend to have weekly e-mail updates to everyone that signs up on our signup list.
Thanks
Will
Sorry but i can’t agree…
I would not want a dispensary near my neighborhood playground ever!