cannabisnews.com: Arizona Considering New Uses for Medical Marijuana
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Arizona Considering New Uses for Medical Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on May 25, 2012 at 05:57:13 PT
By The Associated Press 
Source: Associated Press
Phoenix -- Arizona is considering requests to expand its fledgling medical marijuana program to allow use of the drug for an array of conditions, including post-traumatic stress syndrome and migraines, beyond those allowed under the law approved by voters two years ago.The Department of Health Services, which is required under the 2010 law to consider requests to expand coverage, holds a public hearing Friday on the first batch of requests.
Besides PTSD and migraines, the requests for covered conditions include depression and general anxiety disorder. The law already permits medical marijuana use for such medical reasons as cancer, glaucoma, AIDS, chronic pain, muscle spasms and hepatitis C.Even as the state considers expanding the program, it is still implementing a key part of the law.Friday is the deadline to submit applications to operate medical marijuana dispensaries. Up to 126 dispensaries will be permitted statewide, but only one per designated area. Those typically are either rural towns or parts of metropolitan areas.The process of awarding licenses to dispensaries that will sell marijuana to users was delayed by Gov. Jan Brewer’s reluctance to implement that part of the law.The state has awarded medical marijuana user cards to more than 28,000 people. Chronic pain is the most common medical condition, though users can have more than one. Most of the users also got permission to grow marijuana until there is a dispensary in their area.Arizona is among 17 states that have enacted laws allowing medical marijuana use, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.States’ programs vary, and some already cover the additional medical conditions being considered by Arizona. For example, New Mexico allows medical marijuana use for PTSD, while California’s covered “serious medical conditions” include migraines. Meanwhile, Colorado’s decade-old program has denied petitions to add more than a dozen conditions, including PTSD, hepatitis C and depression.Marijuana is still illegal under federal law, but the Veterans Affairs Department in 2011 issued guidelines that permit patients treated at VA hospitals and clinics to use medical marijuana in states where it is legal. The guidelines don’t allow VA doctors to prescribe medical marijuana.Consideration of possible expansion of Arizona’s medical marijuana program follows efforts by the state to crack down on early abuses.State medical regulatory boards already have disciplined doctors for failing to adequately consider patients’ needs and conditions before recommending medical marijuana.The state Medical Board in February reprimanded one physician who wrote certifications for 483 patients without making required checks of a controlled-substance database.The Naturopathic Physicians Medical Board suspended another doctor’s license for failing to adequately examine patients and document their conditions before certifying them for medical marijuana.In advance of Friday’s hearing, Health Services Director Will Humble said he is most interested in peer-reviewed scientific studies, not personal testimony.“To me, it’s really about presenting good science,” Humble said. “To me, that’s the compelling information that we need.”Humble’s department has contracted with the University of Arizona to identify research relevant to the requests for expanded coverage. “I’m not aware of very much published literature to support adding those,” he said.Humble said he feels a need to be cautious about adding conditions because he doesn’t want patients to forego traditional medical treatment to opt for questionable benefits from marijuana.And he said Arizona’s law doesn’t allow the agency to remove a condition once it’s listed, so it would be troubling if scientifically reliable information later surfaces that undermines the value of approving medical marijuana for a particular condition.Brewer last year balked at allowing dispensaries, saying she feared state employees could face federal criminal prosecution. She later acquiesced after a judge ruled the state had no discretion implementing the dispensary portion of the law.The state already had received about 200 dispensary applications through close-of-business Wednesday, and Humble said he expected many more before Friday’s deadline.Source: Associated Press (Wire)Published: Friday, May 25, 2012Copyright: 2012 The Associated PressCannabisNews  Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml 
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Comment #19 posted by BGreen on May 26, 2012 at 12:40:40 PT
Thanks to all who served our Country!
I never served but I attended summer camp at Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, MO and I was a member of the Civil Air Patrol. If your plane would have gone down in SW Missouri then I would have been there for you. :)God bless you all!The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #18 posted by ekim on May 26, 2012 at 10:15:03 PT
 no mention of cellulosic ethanol in the news Why?
http://brownfieldagnews.com/2011/07/01/dupont-danisco-cellulosic-ethanol-takes-next-step/
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #17 posted by ekim on May 26, 2012 at 08:20:17 PT
good going FoM - Hemp week June 4-10
http://www.hemphistoryweek.com/index.php
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Comment #16 posted by greenmed on May 25, 2012 at 17:27:06 PT
ekim
You are very welcome. We'll soon see that 99 dwindle! Even if we have to "vote one down" one at a time!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #15 posted by FoM on May 25, 2012 at 17:17:57 PT
ekim
I wanted to say how appreciated you are. Keep up the good work you are doing.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #14 posted by ekim on May 25, 2012 at 17:04:15 PT
thank you greenmed
163-26299 bottles of beer on the wall
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Comment #13 posted by greenmed on May 25, 2012 at 14:30:10 PT
FoM and Stick
Thank you, both. You are very kind.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #12 posted by FoM on May 25, 2012 at 14:14:48 PT
greenmed
My husband says thank you.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #11 posted by FoM on May 25, 2012 at 13:30:29 PT
runruff
I didn't mean to make you cry but crying sometimes is good for the soul. Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.Afterburner, Thank you!
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Comment #10 posted by greenmed on May 25, 2012 at 13:30:23 PT
ekim
Here's a link:http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d112:HZ01084:
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #9 posted by greenmed on May 25, 2012 at 13:18:12 PT
Thank You. . .
All the Vets. Have a good weekend, everyone.
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Comment #8 posted by ekim on May 25, 2012 at 13:17:28 PT
does anyone have the total vote 
Rohrabacher-Hinchey-McClintock-Farr Amendment to H.R. 5326,
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Comment #7 posted by greenmed on May 25, 2012 at 13:14:35 PT
runruff #2 - Rep. Hurt voted against
Dear greenmed, Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives defeated an amendment that could have finally ended the federal assault on medical marijuana. It is outrageous that they voted to keep suffering patients away from their medicine!Your representative voted against suffering patients, and they need to hear from you to respect the will of voters.Tell Rep. Robert Hurt you're disappointed and ashamed for voting to continue the attack on medical marijuana patients and providers.This important legislation would have prohibited the Drug Enforcement Administration and Department of Justice from spending taxpayer money to undermine state medical marijuana laws that allow patients to safely access their medicine.It's common sense legislation, and with a vast majority of the public in favor of medical marijuana, Rep. Hurt's vote is a disgraceful betrayal of public will. Legislators like Rep. Hurt need to know their constituents are outraged to finally get in line with public opinion.Keep up the pressure and send Rep. Hurt a wake-up call: demand an end to the federal assault on medical marijuana now.Sincerely, Bill Piper, Director, Office of National Affairs, Drug Policy Alliance 
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Comment #6 posted by Hope on May 25, 2012 at 12:48:20 PT
Thank you, Stick, Runruff, and Museman,
Herbdoc, Sarge, and so many more.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #5 posted by afterburner on May 25, 2012 at 11:34:44 PT
FoM #3 -- Try this one
Roger and Out - Neil Young 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1npfYRQR3io
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Comment #4 posted by runruff on May 25, 2012 at 11:04:51 PT
FoM
I don't cry,I'm too tough to cry...you made me cry.Thank you!
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on May 25, 2012 at 10:16:03 PT
runruff
We both thank you. We take this weekend seriously too. Neil Young doesn't have this song available but here are the lyrics for all those who didn't make it home.Roger and OutTrippin' down that old Hippie Highway Got to thinkin' 'bout you again Wonderin' how it really was for you And how it happened in the end But I guess I'll never know the truth If you were really all alone We were just a couple of kids then Livin' each and every day When we both went down to register We were laughin' all the way That's when we named it Hippie Highway I still call it that today Roger and out good buddy I still call it that today Two camaros racin' down the road Feels just like yesterday 
Roger and out good buddy I feel you in the air today I know you gave for your country I feel you in the air today Roger and out good buddy 
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Comment #2 posted by runruff on May 25, 2012 at 10:12:52 PT
Newsletter.
Dear jerry,
 
Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives defeated an amendment that could have finally ended the federal assault on medical marijuana. It is outrageous that they voted to keep suffering patients away from their medicine! However, thanks to pressure from supporters like you, your representative voted for the amendment. They need to hear from you to know the public applauds their vote and encourages their continued support of medical marijuana! Thank Rep. Peter A. DeFazio for voting to protect medical marijuana patients from federal attacks. The amendment Rep. DeFazio voted for would have prohibited the Drug Enforcement Administration and Department of Justice from spending taxpayer money to undermine state medical marijuana laws that allow patients to safely access their medicine. The vast majority of the public believes the assault on medical marijuana should end. Tens of thousands of you took action and it had a positive impact -- Rep. DeFazio respected the will of voters and voted the right way! Keep up the pressure: thank Rep. DeFazio for voting to end the cruel assault on medical marijuana. Sincerely,
 
Bill Piper
Director, Office of National Affairs
Drug Policy Alliance 
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Comment #1 posted by runruff on May 25, 2012 at 08:58:25 PT
Because I love ya'll so much...
I am going to give you all a runruff nonsense free week-end starting today. Meet the new but temporary runruff.Being a war time vet I do take this Holiday seriously, to honor my fallen buddies and relatives who, in our hearts, were fighting for the principles that made this a once great nation.And to you Stick, Thank you, you are a hero, may you be forever blessed for your sacrifices!
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