BY MIKEL WEISSER Even though it was kept under the radar until after Governor Ducey signed it, the two-year card provision of SB1494 seems like it had to be good news for all involved. Patients get their annual cards extended to two years, literally cutting their card costs in half. DHS saves on their administrative …
Doubling Up: Certification Clinics React to Two-Year Card Extension Read More »
BY MONIQUE FRIGARD As I blazed my way through the American Royal Banquet Hall July 13, my only thought was getting my hands on a cold bottle of water. As usual in July in Phoenix, it was hot. My husband, Bobby, and I half heard the winners announced over the loudspeaker, so we made our …
BY MIKEL WEISSER After years of struggle Arizona will finally have cannabis testing. Now what? June 7, 2019, at approximately 2pm, supposedly Governor Doug Ducey made a quick call to Sen David Gowan (R-LD14). He thanked Gowan for his efforts at the Capitol and signed Gowan’s bill, SB1494, concluding a seven-year ordeal over testing in …
BY MIKEL WEISSER 61 Tons, one gram at a time When you or I “sample” or “test” cannabis, it usually involves twisting one up and burning it down. That process is called “organoleptic testing,” meaning tested based on tasting. (And that’s just one testing-related word you didn’t know you didn’t know.) Aside from the weed, …
Passing the Test, Part 2: Basic Primer on Testing and Its Many Incomprehensible Terms Read More »
BY ACM STAFF In a surprise move, the House Democratic Caucus successfully blocked progress on SB1024, a revenue reporting bill sponsored by Lake Havasu Republican, Sen Sonny Borrelli. The bill would require DHS to share dispensary revenue data with the state Dept of Revenue. The bill was created in reaction to a 2018 expose that …
Democrats Push Back on Industry Transparency Bill Read More »
BY ACM STAFF Friday morning March 29, on the last possible day it could be heard in committee, Sen. David Gowan’s SB1494 decidedly passed out of the House Health and Human Services Committee, 8-0. A string of expert witnesses provided testimony on the importance of creating state-mandated testing for medical marijuana products sold in the …
(Notes from the Jones Case Supreme Court Hearing) BY MIKEL WEISSER The most-watched court case in all Arizona marijuana lived up to its name March 19th, as the Arizona State Supreme Court held the Jones Case oral arguments at the ASU Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law to an absolutely packed house. When the dust …
Mandel Brings His A-Game, Polk No Shows–Justice Laughs Read More »
BY MIKEL WEISSER In front of an audience packed with medical marijuana patients, HB2149, the cannabis definitions bill designed to solve the concentrates crisis has sailed through committee with a strong 5-2 vote. The bill sponsored by LD21’s Rep. Tony Rivero (R), clarifies that “cannabis concentrates” are simply products extracted from …
Crowd Cheers as Concentrates Bill Clears Committee, 5-2 Read More »
5 Cannabis Reform Bills to Heard at Capitol Next Wednesday, Hemp Bill Heading to Governor BY MIKEL WEISSER After years of being “guaranteed non-starters,” this week the AZ State Legislature announced five MORE medical marijuana bills will be heard in committee next week. The concentrates crisis, patient card costs, rural dispensary struggles, fingerprint cards …
MITA Newsletter articles Concentrates Sept. 10th Robert Mandel filed the Supreme Court appeal in the Jones cases (the concentrates case). The Yavapai prosecutors are required to file their response before the end of Oct. and the amicus briefs are facing a similar deadline. Prosecutors in Yavapai, Pinal, Pima, Apache and Navajo Counties have all charged …
