Proposition 203, cited as the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act (Act), is a citizen's initiative that will enable a "qualifying patient," who is registered with the Arizona Department of Health Services (Department), to legally obtain an "allowable amount of usable marijuana" from a "nonprofit medical marijuana dispensary" and legally possess and use marijuana to treat or alleviate symptoms associated with a "debilitating medical condition."

Under the Act, the Department has adopted rules, through an exempt rulemaking process, to implement the provisions of the Act. The Department has begun issuing registry identification cards to qualifying patients and their designated caregivers.

On May 27, 2011, the Attorney General filed for declaratory judgment in federal court about the legality of the Act and our rules. Because of the court filing and legal advice from the Attorney General, the Department will not be accepting dispensary applications in June. Whether we accept and process dispensary applications at a later date will depend on the outcome of legal action. However, the Department will continue to process applications for Patient and Caregiver cards.

More information about the rulemaking may be obtained from the Arizona Medical Marijuana Program website.