STATE RULES WILL LIMIT GILBERT MEDICAL-MARIJUANA SITES

Two groups competing to become Gilbert's first medical-marijuana
dispensary unveiled their plans to the Planning Commission this week
and both could get a use-permit early next month.

Sonoran Star Remedies and Beleaf, Inc. hope to set up in Gilbert's
northwestern corridor, where most of the town's industrial parks are.
Gilbert prohibits dispensaries outside of industrial districts.

While both groups are on track to get town approval, only one will
likely win the state certification needed to operate.

Aa many as five dispensaries could open in Gilbert because it permits
one for every 10 pharmacies. Gilbert has about 50 pharmacies.

But state regulations allow just one dispensary in each "community
health analysis area" as defined by a map drawn by the Arizona
Department of Health Services, Gilbert Senior Planner Mike Milillo
said.

Gilbert has two such districts, essentially divided by Lindsay
Road.

State rules allow prospective dispensaries to apply for certification
in June. If more than one dispensary in the same CHAA meets all
qualifications, the certificate will be granted by random selection.

Paul and Robin Schroeder of Gilbert have spoken passionately in favor
of medical marijuana at several public meetings and hope the state
chooses their "personal, caring, mom-and-pop model."

Robin has a degree in botany from Arizona State University and
experience working for culinary herb farms and nurseries. Paul has a
master's in business administration and what he calls a "strong
entrepreneurial spirit."

The couple were motivated to launch a dispensary in part by the loss
of friends and a family member to cancer, Robin said.

"Cancer has truly become a monster," she said, adding that marijuana
"not only eases the nausea of chemotherapy and helps patients eat, but
it has been shown to have significant anti-tumor properties."

Jana Bruof Beleaf said her motivation for running a dispensary is
twofold.

"Because I come from a medical background, I understand the value of
it (marijuana)," Bru said. "If you're going through cancer treatment,
it's about the only thing that will settle the stomach and keep you
from puking."

The other part is business, Bru said. Her longtime friend and
prospective partner, Cheryl Van Meter, owns part of a building in the
Sunrise Business Park and approached her with the idea of opening a
dispensary.

Bru's background includes a medical herbal degree, with a
master's-level education in photonutrients, and she has experience in
mixing and growing herbs like milk thistle and hawthorn.

Their proposed 4,200-square-foot dispensary and cultivation site may
also offer related products, such as pot-infused lotions, Senior
Planner Al Ward said.

In an "open letter" to Arizona physicians, ADHS Director Will Humble
and Chief Medical Officer Laura Nelson said they hope the state's
marijuana industry will remain strictly medical.

"In other states that have medical marijuana laws, the vast majority
of physicians behave ethically and responsibly, only writing
certifications for patients that have true debilitating medical
conditions," they wrote.

"However, in pretty much every state, there are a handful of
physicians that write certifications after only a cursory review of a
patient's medical condition. This creates an environment whereby
recreational users . . . seek certifications to support their use of
marijuana."

Paul Schroeder said one potential obstacle to a successful
medical-marijuana industry is the stereotype often associated with pot
users.

"Some folks seem to have the image of dirty hippies dancing in their
head," he said. "That is simply untrue, but given our proximity to
California, it is often difficult to perceive patients as something
other than recreational users."

The ADHS expects Arizona doctors to follow certain protocol when
considering medical-marijuana certification:

Make or confirm a diagnosis of a debilitating medical
condition.

Conduct an in-person physical examination.

Review the patient's medical records.

Explain the potential risks and benefits of medical
marijuana.

Attest that the patient is likely to receive therapeutic or
palliative benefit from the use of marijuana.

In Chandler, a dispensary proposed near Dobson and Frye roads this
week won a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission and
will now go before the City Council.