Impact on Arizona

  • Marijuana is marijuana.  There is no such thing as “medical” marijuana.  The proponents themselves don’t think it’s medicine; hence, the requirement of a “recommendation” from a doctor, rather than a prescription, and the creation of “dispensaries,” rather than using existing pharmacies.
  • The proper channel for approving new medicines is the FDA.  Not only is marijuana not approved by the FDA, it is a Schedule I controlled substance (a drug that has a high potential for abuse, has no accepted medical use and is not safe for use even under medical supervision).  Heroin also is a Schedule I controlled substance.
  • Nothing about Prop 203 will change the fact that marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law, leaving thousands of Arizona citizens vulnerable to prosecution under federal statutes.  Even if “patients,” “caregivers,” and “dispensary” operators act in accordance with Prop 203, they can be arrested and prosecuted by federal agents in accordance with the Controlled Substance Act.
  • Prop 203 provides alarming protections for marijuana cardholders under state law:  Based solely on the “presence of metabolites or components of marijuana that appear in insufficient concentration to cause impairment,” cardholders can’t be prosecuted for DUI, disciplined in the workplace, or denied child visitation. There is nothing in the proposition that provides a standard of measurement concerning impairment similar to the current blood/alcohol ratio.
  • Although the Arizona Department of Health Services (“ADHS”) will be responsible for issuing licenses for “dispensaries,” “cardholders,” and “caregivers,” ADHS will have no regulatory control whatsoever over the marijuana itself and cannot inspect dispensaries without advance warning.
  • Criminals, even certain convicted felons, can own and operate dispensaries.
  • Even people on parole or probation can obtain a marijuana card.
  • Marijuana will be available to “patients” who claim to have “severe and chronic pain,” which is easily faked and impossible to disprove.  The catchall ailment “pain” is the most common condition for which marijuana is recommended.