| Graphic: THC Finder |
As of Thursday, April 14, the Arizona medical marijuana law is now in effect. The state is taking applications for registry cards from seriously ill patients who have a doctor’s recommendation to use cannabis for medicinal purposes.
Some are estimating that around 20,000 Arizonans will qualify for medical marijuana, reports Joleah Nowicki at Phoenix Political Buzz Examiner, but such estimates almost always turn out to be way too low.
The application system will be entirely online, according to the Department of Health Services, and anyone trying to apply in person or by phone will be turned away, reports Amanda Lee Myers at The Associated Press.
Department Director Will Humble said he sympathizes will people without computer access or abilities, but the system must be online to be efficient and cost effective.
Humble claimed that Arizona’s system is aimed at “avoiding problems other states have experienced,” such as large numbers of “unqualified people” getting pot.
Once approved, patients will be allowed to buy 2.5 ounces of marijuana every two weeks from a state-licensed dispensary, or grow a limited amount themselves if they live 25 or more miles from the nearest dispensary.
The medical marijuana card application is available on the Arizona Department of Health Services’ website.