November is epilepsy awareness month and that is cause for celebration in the cannabis world because cannabis has been shown to be a safe, effective and far less toxic treatment option when compared to the usual allopathic anticonvulsants. This is accomplished through the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties found in the cannabinoids and terpenoids that are the major active components.  

These compounds help to turn down the music for many who suffer from epileptic conditions. With cannabis they are able to live fuller lives, without their development being interfered with by pills.

For some who are dependent on these treatments the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act  provides a narrow exception to the Controlled Substances Act allowing them to possess the cannabis and cannabis infused products that give them a better life. There are barriers to entry into this legal market, which make participation difficult for some. Because of heavy handed taxation and regulation, cost of the products to the consumer is high, no pun intended. A patient must maintain their patient status year by year, with a renewal fee to the state and a visit to the doctor providing the recommendation. This can be too expensive or cumbersome a process for some patients in need.

The AMMA also has a very limited set of approved conditions for an Arizona marijuana recommendation. Many people who might benefit from cannabis are left out of the program. The Arizona Cannabis Nurses Association filed for eight new conditions to be added to the program but the Department of Health Services denied all eight without public hearing or comment. Surely the AZCNA will appeal as they did when PTSD was denied in the same abrupt way a few years ago.

Other patients languish in limbo as well, unable to participate for other reasons. The many who are here without papers or proper identification are also unable to get a medical marijuana card, regardless of how much they might be willing to pay for it. Aren’t those humans entitled to be able to safe legal access to high-quality, lab-tested cannabis if that is the treatment that works best for them?We need to legalize cannabis in Arizona, and eventually the U.S. to eliminate these barriers. There are multiple ballot initiatives being circulated and there is much infighting among the parties. The best-funded initiative is being promoted by the Marijuana Policy Project and it is largely criticized as being far too limiting a law by Arizonans for Mindful Regulation.

I am strongly in favor of the more permissive initiative promoted by the AZFMR. Many that represent the AZFMR feel that the MPP initiative does more harm than good, if the MPP bill sits alone on the ballot in November 2016 they will lobby against their own issue for fear that the MPP law gives the cannabis industry to big business and the industrial prison complex on a silver platter.  

I do not support the idea that the MPP law does more harm than good. It is my hope that in the event the AZFMR initiative does not qualify for the ballot, that the MPP bill will prevail so that the people of Arizona, who do not already qualify for the AMMA, may care for themselves and their families, and that the market might mature to give widespread access to high quality products at a more reasonable price.

This article appears in Nov 19-25, 2015.

6 replies on “MMJ Opinion”

  1. Mr Rubin Aries;
    Some interesting and thoughtful ideas on the useable qualities of Cannabis. I have epilepsy in the family my siblings went through a regiment of phenobarbital my son through Tegretol. I have had the realities of prejudice and exclusion for reason attributed to Epilepsy. As well as growing in rural southern Utah with a Jewish father and a Black Grandmother I also understand ostracization from society and social accords of the areas I lived in. I was first incarcerated for possession 10 grams maybe. In Texas getting out of the service FtPolk hitchhiking home did 60 days on a chain gang picking sugar beets and cotton work. Had to fight off…. that was what I was thrown into and that will still be the ultimate leverage behind MPP’s proposal if you could only spend a day.

    I do believe you have sincerity in your understanding and approach. It is also my belief it has been a long life consuming struggle for so many for so long. Some believe this is the pinnacle of success the ultimate triumph. I have strong reservations basically the rule making and the structure of the Marijuana Control Board.

    As you know the 25 mile law was a rule implemented in the rule making and a huge form on contest to it. How it was put into rule then into administrative law. By the time the Superior Court need clarification it went ti Admin then Appellate court 2 1/2 years later. Basically out of each of the average patient or consumer. It is this kind of action that is very concerned to me and to others that would torpedo MPP’s initiative. We see where it would allow for some municipalities and county or governing agency to prohibit use consumption sales and growing. Violation of 14th amendment of equal protection for a now clarified minority Cannabis user they can pay taxes in that town but not smoke ???? really and punishable by what fines jail for ordinance violation?

    As we seen the initiative being drawn up the license fees for growing, processing, distributing, testing, sales, were prohibitive for the small local entrepreneur. Basically leaving it up to better financed resourceful business affiliated with existing MMJ industry nationally. This could very easily become an oligarchy as is what happened in AZ when prohibition on Alcohol was was lifted with the 21st amendment. Arizona’s first and only billionaire Kemper Marley notorious link to mafia and illegal gambling and the Don Bolles bombing murder. It is not even worth while going into the prosecutorial police mistreatment of the laws and the rights of Arizona citizens after all the Miranda decision was abou AZ.

    All that aside let just get a look at the medical aspects. It wont be long till the medical community comes up with a regimented cannabis treatment covered by insurance. These will only be dispensed through licensed Pharmacies with licensed technicians. There will be no smoke of any kind to medical therapy there is no way one can rely on amount of consumption or residual components possible carcinogens and related effect of propane or what ever flame source. Changing the whole distribution system POS license to just recreational. Anything else would be considered over the counter remedy and not covered by any remediation of legal considerations already given in the current MMJ law.

    Basically Mr Aries. I don’t begrudge your endeavor or efforts your right to entrepreneurial success. I feel that by opposing MPP proposal I am fighting for your interests as well. Just how can you ask someone to give up what they have for what they might get. We have seen it in the tobacco tax the lottery the gaming just how deep is the well of licensed sin as some would have it go?

    IF YOU DON’T KNOW THE RULE YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOUR VOTING FOR!

  2. Joe Arpaio is the biggest funder of MPPs’ initiative in AZ. Right now the MCSO is diligently busting confiscating finding as much as the can on an enhanced campaign to fund giving monies to MPP. Then at the same time promoting it’s use in the retirement communities with MOM FORCE AZ. MCSO needs this Marijuana Control Board as a slush fund bank after all whom do you think is going to head the board staff the board ????? really

  4. I was diagnosed in 1962 at the ripe age of six months. Most of the drugs I’ve taken to control my seizures are either no longer on the market or are no longer used for Epilepsy. I tried Epilepsy surgery in “89 but continue to have seizures. Would I like to try hemp to see if it helps? You bet I would! Is it affordable when you’re on disability? NO. I’m glad it’s available for some, but the state has to remember that most people on disability can’t come close to the prices (because of the taxes) because we’re in deep poverty. Unless someone goes to the governor’s office and has a full blown Grand Mal in front of him the cost isn’t going to change.

  5. Sally; Mr. Aari Ruben is correct in it will help. If you find the right therapist that will grow and maintain a supply for you and not a cure all hybrid blend. That’s the Achilles Heel to the whole process is consistency and the reliability if it. To be given the correct dose given a mirade of factors I am not a therapist. I have yet to see a dispensary that is or have on site. So it leave up to oils and edibles for treatment this is a healthier form of therapy and if a card holder has to the correct doctor this was implied and why when getting the card. This is another reason to go with these products but they are not dispensed at a reasonable cost availability or consistency.

    With MPP’s proposal this “Department Of Marijuana” would oversee the medical aspects of Marijuana in time given the transition time needed to take over from AZDHS. This would be the same as the DEA setting schedules of drugs on a national scale but local for Marijuana and related therapies. Their would be no redress to medical issue rule making till it was brought up infront of the board. The Board then would take it into consideration and pass a ruling what in 2 weeks 2 years? If a person holding a license of some kind can appeal the slowness of the board or the decision. that has to go to an Administrative Judge and wait for a decision another how long.

    Do you understand if you had a seizure petit or gran was at a relatives friends house a town that had an ordinance against it or were with relatives in reclusive parking lot and the driver helped you medicate you could be guilty of a crime? However if you walked across the street it would be ok.

    This Board would have the exclusive autonomy of which vendors they would allow to sell products for Medical (stinks). The board would chose which intellectual professionals they will contract and which standard they will adopt. It will be up the the Board on which studies they will adopt and use to set and change rules by. It will be up to the board to determine how many Licenses they will allow for growing and what liability protection they will instill into the license. This alone like raising the minimum req for liability on car insurance. The board could simply say to much is getting into the illegal market and raise the requirement culling 50% or better of current license holders. The only legal redress is the first review by the board than again a appeal to the Admin judge 3 years later their gone leaving just the rich few that can afford to political representation. The board will go out and look for a test data on fertilizers and testing procedures on organic agricultural material. When we already have a Department of Agriculture 1000% more qualified than anything a Public Admin might put out to bid (stinks)

    The real clincher is the head of the Depart of Marijuana has to have held a public administration Position for 10 years or better (police) someone focused on revenue enforcement license. And then the real payday !!!!! License fees and intellectual properties for Medical can you say Cah Chink!!! all because grandma the impaired relative cant afford to pay and will be thrown if they plant a seed,. Is this Progressive?

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