MedicalNeed
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Graham County's proposed medical marijuana regulations also include a component that regulates sexually oriented businesses.
Arizona voters approved the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes only in the Nov. 2 general election. Counties must put regulations in place to govern this usage within the parameters of the new law.
The Graham County Board of Supervisors will consider the proposed regulations in a meeting that begins at 8 a.m. Monday. The County Planning and Zoning Commission gave the regulations a favorable recommendation Dec. 15.
Several commissioners expressed dismay at the ordinance presented by County Planning and Zoning Director Will Wright, who said the intent of the proposed regulations is to "make sure we are not overrun with medical marijuana in Graham County."
Commissioner Jim Bryce did not like several aspects of the proposed regulations, including a requirement that marijuana dispensaries be at least 2,000 feet from each other.
"I don't think it's strong enough," Bryce said of the proposed regulations.
Commissioner Mark Claridge thought the 1,000-foot minimum distance from schools was insufficient.
"It should be a couple of miles," Claridge said.
Commissioner Kay Matlock suggested the distance from schools should be at least a mile.
Bryce was also concerned about the county's ability to enforce the regulations.
"Give me a break. We can't even get trailers cleaned up," he said.
Wright explained that much of the separation requirements will be covered by zoning. For example, marijuana dispensaries can only be set up in commercial or manufacturing zones. This means dispensaries cannot be set up in residential neighborhoods.
Graham County Health Department Director Neil Karnes explained that the law will limit how many dispensaries there are in a city or county. He said while the Arizona Department of Health Services is still working out details, it appears there can only be one marijuana dispensary for every 10 pharmacies.
There are only five pharmacies in Graham County – Safeway, Thriftee, Medicap, Walgreens and Walmart. This means only one dispensary can legally be set up in Graham.
Karnes also said there are no plans to delegate regulation of medical marijuana to county health departments.
Wright pointed out that counties must write their regulations to fit the constraints of the state law. He said if the county "makes it impossible" for anyone to open a marijuana dispensary or grow marijuana plants for medical usage, the courts could overturn the law and require Graham to rewrite the regulations to conform to the law.
In the end, the commission gave the regulations a favorable recommendation – with the request that the Board of Supervisors make them "as stringent as possible."
NewsHawk: MedicalNeed: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: eacourier.com
Author: Diane Saunders
Contact: Eastern Arizona Courier
Copyright:2010 Eastern Arizona Courier Newspaper
Website:Eastern Arizona Courier
Arizona voters approved the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes only in the Nov. 2 general election. Counties must put regulations in place to govern this usage within the parameters of the new law.
The Graham County Board of Supervisors will consider the proposed regulations in a meeting that begins at 8 a.m. Monday. The County Planning and Zoning Commission gave the regulations a favorable recommendation Dec. 15.
Several commissioners expressed dismay at the ordinance presented by County Planning and Zoning Director Will Wright, who said the intent of the proposed regulations is to "make sure we are not overrun with medical marijuana in Graham County."
Commissioner Jim Bryce did not like several aspects of the proposed regulations, including a requirement that marijuana dispensaries be at least 2,000 feet from each other.
"I don't think it's strong enough," Bryce said of the proposed regulations.
Commissioner Mark Claridge thought the 1,000-foot minimum distance from schools was insufficient.
"It should be a couple of miles," Claridge said.
Commissioner Kay Matlock suggested the distance from schools should be at least a mile.
Bryce was also concerned about the county's ability to enforce the regulations.
"Give me a break. We can't even get trailers cleaned up," he said.
Wright explained that much of the separation requirements will be covered by zoning. For example, marijuana dispensaries can only be set up in commercial or manufacturing zones. This means dispensaries cannot be set up in residential neighborhoods.
Graham County Health Department Director Neil Karnes explained that the law will limit how many dispensaries there are in a city or county. He said while the Arizona Department of Health Services is still working out details, it appears there can only be one marijuana dispensary for every 10 pharmacies.
There are only five pharmacies in Graham County – Safeway, Thriftee, Medicap, Walgreens and Walmart. This means only one dispensary can legally be set up in Graham.
Karnes also said there are no plans to delegate regulation of medical marijuana to county health departments.
Wright pointed out that counties must write their regulations to fit the constraints of the state law. He said if the county "makes it impossible" for anyone to open a marijuana dispensary or grow marijuana plants for medical usage, the courts could overturn the law and require Graham to rewrite the regulations to conform to the law.
In the end, the commission gave the regulations a favorable recommendation – with the request that the Board of Supervisors make them "as stringent as possible."
NewsHawk: MedicalNeed: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: eacourier.com
Author: Diane Saunders
Contact: Eastern Arizona Courier
Copyright:2010 Eastern Arizona Courier Newspaper
Website:Eastern Arizona Courier
