Arizona awarding certificates for pot dispensaries

Marijuana


Photographer: ABC15
Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Advertisement

Posted: 08/07/2012

PHOENIX - Arizona officials used a bingo-style machine with sets of numbered air-blown balls Tuesday as they picked winners from among more than 400 applicants for certificates to run 97 medical marijuana dispensaries around the state.

The lottery is a key implementation step for the voter-created health program whose legality is still in question because marijuana remains illegal under federal law.

Health Services Director Will Humble says applicants allocated dispensary certificates now must file more paperwork and then pass various inspections before getting licenses to operate.

He says some dispensaries could open their doors within weeks but that it may take others until next spring.

Thousands of people already have permits to use medical marijuana, but they've had to grow pot or get it from other permitted individuals until dispensaries begin operating.

Associated Press

  • Comments
advertisement

RIGHT NOW on ABC15.com


  1. Services set for fallen Phoenix officer

    Services set for fallen Phoenix officer

    Officer Daryl Raetz died after he was struck by a vehicle during a DUI traffic stop early Sunday morning.

  2. Garage thieves targeting Valley homes

    Garage thieves targeting Valley homes

    A “safety alert” is being distributed to homes in and around the Trilogy at Power Ranch neighborhood in southeast Gilbert after a couple of people were seen possibly casing homes for burglaries, neighbors said.

  3. VIDEO: New trailer for Arias movie

    VIDEO: New trailer for Arias movie

    Here's a FIRST look at the movie trailer based on the life of notorious Valley murderer Jodi Arias.

  4. FORECAST: Great holiday weather!

    FORECAST: Great holiday weather!

    Cooler air is moving in soon. Find out how far temperatures will drop by Memorial Day.

  5. Judge: Arpaio's office profiles Latinos

    Judge: Arpaio's office profiles Latinos

    A federal judge has ruled that the office of America's self-proclaimed toughest sheriff systematically racially profiled Latinos in its trademark immigration patrols.

  6. Traveling? BEWARE of rental car ripoff

    Traveling? BEWARE of rental car ripoff

    Consumers are speaking out after being charged by a rental car company for extra insurance coverage they say they did not want.

  7. Jury foreman sorry about Arias mistrial

    Jury foreman sorry about Arias mistrial

    The foreman in the notorious Jodi Arias trial is speaking out, explaining the group's confusion as Judge Sherry Stephens declared a mistrial during the penalty phase on Thursday.

  8. Students strip searched during exam

    Students strip searched during exam

    A school board north of Montreal has launched an internal investigation after staff strip searched 28 students to try and find a cell phone during a final exam.

  9. Angry emails sent to AZ lawmakers

    Angry emails sent to AZ lawmakers

    At least nine legislators received threatening emails over Gov. Jan Brewer's push to expand Medicaid in the state.

  10. Woman struck, killed after AZ graduation

    Woman struck, killed after AZ graduation

    82-year-old Dorothy Penrod died Thursday night, shortly after arriving at University of Arizona Medical Center.