Pubdate: Sun, 26 Dec 2010
Source: Eastern Arizona Courier (AZ)
Copyright: 2010 Eastern Arizona Courier
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/3qxecMIL
Website: http://www.eacourier.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1674
Author: Diane Saunders
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Arizona

BOARD APPROVES MARIJUANA REGULATIONS

The Graham County Board of Supervisors approved regulations for the
cultivation and sale of medical marijuana - less than a week after the
regulations received a favorable recommendation from the County
Planning and Zoning Commission.

"I think this is a good start in taking us where we want to be,"
Supervisor Jim Palmer said.

The marijuana regulations are necessary because voters approved use of
the drug for medical reasons in the Nov. 2 general election. The
marijuana use rules, which are part of the county's planning and
zoning ordinance, were offered as amendments to the sexually oriented
business regulations.

Planning and Zoning Director Will Wright said if the county's
marijuana regulations are found too restrictive, they could be thrown
out and the county forced to rewrite them.

Palmer emphasized that marijuana dispensaries can only be located in
commercial or manufacturing zones - not residential areas.

Last week, County Health Department Director Neil Karnes said the
Arizona Department of Health Services is expected to allow only one
dispensary for every 10 pharmacies within a county. This means the
county could have only one dispensary because there are only five
pharmacies in Graham.

Wright said if a dispensary opens in Graham, no marijuana growers will
be allowed within a 25-mile radius.

He added that a marijuana grower or seller must have a permit before
business can be transacted.

Prior to passing the regulations, the supervisors acknowledged that
the regulations will probably require updating or changes.

"We're going to do a lot of tweaking on this," Board of Supervisors
Chairman Mark Herrington said.  
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake