This bill proposes significant updates to current statutes regarding the use of the Medical Marijuana Fund for clinical trials. Under current law, the Arizona Biomedical Research Center (ABRC) may may shall use funds to provide grants for marijuana clinical trials. The bill mandates that the ABRC shall provide $2,000,000 by July 1, 2026, and an additional $2,000,000 by July 1, 2028, from the Medical Marijuana Fund to administer and award competitive grants for these trials, contingent upon the Department of Health Services determining that the Fund has sufficient operational expenses without risk of deficit or the need to increase registry identification card fees. Additionally, the bill makes technical changes and stipulates that the amendments to sections 36-2817 and 36-2822 will only take effect if there is an affirmative vote of at least three-fourths of the members of each house of the legislature. This contrasts with the current statute, which does not require such a supermajority for enactment. Overall, the bill strengthens the commitment to funding marijuana clinical trials and establishes clearer financial requirements for the ABRC.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 36-2817, 36-2822, 15-1655, 36-1161, 36-3501, 36-2862, 36-2850, 36-2856, 2021-2022, 36-3291, 36-2812, 36-2803
Senate Engrossed Version: 36-2817, 36-2822, 15-1655, 36-1161, 36-3501, 36-2862, 36-2850, 36-2856, 2021-2022, 36-3291, 36-2812, 36-2803