Q&A WITH STATE HEALTH DIRECTOR ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA

State Health Director Will Humble answers questions about the new
medical marijuana law.

Q: When will patients who have a qualifying medical condition be able
to get the necessary ID cards allowing them to possess marijuana?

A: Probably in early April, after the state issues the rules that
doctors have to follow, and sets up the tracking system.

Q: When will they be able to buy marijuana from a state-regulated
dispensary?

A: That system won't be in place until next summer or
fall.

Q: What about growing your own?

A: The law allows that for those at least 25 miles from any
dispensary. People anywhere in Arizona who get their cards before
there are any dispensaries may also qualify.

Q: What will be tracked?

A: The state will have a database of every cultivation facility, every
dispensary and every person who is issued a card by the Department of
Health Services.

Q: Who will have access to that information?

A: Dispensaries will be able to get real-time verification that
someone has a card. And law enforcement will be able to link to a
state computer to determine whether someone they stop is legally
allowed to possess marijuana.

Q: Will that information be public?

A: No, though the U.S. Drug Enforcement agency probably could subpoena
the records if it wanted, as federal law still makes possession and
sale of marijuana illegal.

Q: What about driving?

A: The law still makes it illegal to drive under the influence, though
Humble said it will be up to law enforcement to determine exactly what
that constitutes. There is no test similar to alcohol to determine a
specific level of impairment.

Q: What about on-the-job drug testing?

A: Anyone with a state-issued card cannot be fired or disciplined
solely because a drug test turns up positive for marijuana. That,
however, does not cover those who smoke on the job or are impaired.

Q: Where can people smoke?

A: The law prohibits smoking in "public places," but does not define
that. As a starting point, Humble said he will use the tobacco laws --
meaning no bars, restaurants and other enclosed public places. Not yet
decided is whether smoking marijuana will be allowed in public places
that are outdoors, such as parks.

Q: What kind of doctors will be allowed to write recommendations?

A: The law limits it to medical doctors, osteopaths, homeopaths and
naturopaths.

Q: Will there be oversight of doctors?

A: Humble said he wants rules that define a doctor-patient
relationship so physicians don't just go in the business of writing
recommendations for anyone who comes in the door.

Q: Can a dispensary have a doctor on site or on staff to write a
recommendation?

A: There is no prohibition to that in the law. But Humble said the
rules about relationships should prevent abuse.

Q: How many dispensaries will be established?

A: The law allows one for every 10 pharmacies, which Humble figures
now computes out to about 125, with a requirement for at least one
dispensary in each county.

Q: Can pharmacies sell the drug?

A: Humble said if they meet the other requirements of Proposition 203
they can be licensed as a dispensary. But being a pharmacy, by itself,
does not qualify.

Q: What keeps cultivation facilities from selling some product off the
books?

A: Humble said he wants some way to track plants from seed through
cultivation, drying, transfer to a dispensary and, ultimately, sale.

Q: Will card holders from other states be able to purchase marijuana
in Arizona?

A: Humble said that is still being researched.