As the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference returns to Miami (April 11-12) bringing together top CEOs, investors, leaders, advocates and politicians, let's scroll through the latest regulatory changes in the space.
Arizona Veterans To Get Free Medical Marijuana Cards Thanks To Senate Approval
A measure seeking to slash the cost of a medicinal cannabis card to $50, as opposed to the current $150, both first-time patients and those renewing the card payment was passed by Arizona Senate members last week.
Under Senate Bill 1466, veterans could become card holders for free, reported AZ Marijuana. The legislation also added PTSD and autism to the list of conditions to qualify for a medical marijuana (MMJ) card. The next stop for the bill is in the House of Representatives.
Ann Torrez, executive director of the Arizona Dispensaries Association said that allowing veterans access MMJ is an important step.
"We felt it was really important to provide the veterans in the state access to medical marijuana as they see needed," she said. "And, in addition to that, with the change in medical conditions to include post-traumatic stress disorder, we just thought that this now is the right time to make sure that the access becomes even more available."
Medical cannabis has been legal in Arizona since 2010; recreational use became legal in 2021 after a ballot initiative was passed in 2020. In February, Arizona broke a marijuana sales record …