This bill proposes to amend section 36-2803.01 of the Arizona Revised Statutes regarding nonprofit medical marijuana dispensaries. Under current law, dispensaries that receive a registration certificate must open within 18 months or risk invalidation of their certificate. The bill introduces an exemption for dispensaries that were unable to open due to local ordinance restrictions, thereby allowing them to retain their registration certificate despite not meeting the original timeline. Additionally, it clarifies that the previous stipulation about the invalidation of certificates does not apply to these dispensaries.

Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for retroactive application to December 31, 2022, and establishes that it is an emergency measure, effective immediately upon enactment. It also stipulates that the amendments will only take effect if approved by a three-fourths majority in both houses of the legislature. Overall, these changes aim to provide flexibility for dispensaries affected by local regulations while maintaining the integrity of the medical marijuana program.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 36-2803.01