Pubdate: Tue, 07 Aug 2012
Source: Verde Independent (AZ)
Copyright: 2012 Western News & Info, Inc
Contact: http://verdenews.com/Formlayout.asp?formcall=userform&form=1
Website: http://verdenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4433
Author: Jon Hutchinson

VERDE VALLEY AMONG HIGHEST NUMBER OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY APPLICANTS

There were 126 applications drawn Tuesday to locate medical marijuana
dispensaries around the state, including one in the Verde Valley and
another in the greater Sedona area.

Eight dispensary-eligible applicants were in the drawing for a
dispensary in the Sedona CHAA. There were 14 that sought a location
serving Northeast Yavapai County.

As Department of Health Director, Will Humble, notes, the selection is
just one of the first steps. Applicants must also meet other security
and other requirements. And then, the County Attorneys throughout the
state say sale of marijuana violates federal law and may not be
allowed. Another challenge is pending.

During a lottery using random selection of numbered balls, a
dispensary application was chosen for each of the designated Community
Health Analysis Areas (CHAA). According to the Arizona Department of
Health, no one applied for a dispensary in 27 of those CHAAs, many of
them on Arizona's many Indian reservations.

Those areas with the most applications tended to be in urban areas
around Phoenix and Tucson. Two of the CHAA are among those with the
highest number of applicants. Those are the CHAA for Estrella in the
Phoenix metro area and also Yavapai Co. NE, which includes the Verde
Valley.
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MAP posted-by: Matt