By Kiera Riley | Phoenix New Times
Two new amendments to a strike-everything bill moving through the Arizona Legislature could tighten marijuana testing standards and ease access to medical marijuana licenses across the state.
Though proponents see the legislative shift as steps in the right direction, especially in light of reports of contaminated cannabis and lags in medical license allocations, those against the bill take issue with the last-ditch efforts to pass laws majorly impacting the industry.
A strike-everything amendment passed in late March to House Bill 2050, sponsored by Phoenix Republican Representative Justin Wilmeth. The bill would require the Arizona Department of Health Services to allocate nonprofit medical dispensary licenses in counties in which medical dispensaries are more than 25 miles apart.
Jon Udell, politics director for Arizona NORML, said the change will be invaluable for rural dispensaries and social equity winners. He anticipates dual license opportunities will expand patient access in rural communities and garner growth for social equity winners.
Arizona NORML was previously neutral on the bill, but has since changed stances with the new amendments.
