2 New Arizona Bills: Reduce Card Fee and Mandatory Testing

Arizona Senator Sonny Borrelli is proposing two medical marijuana bills aiming to benefit patients. Senate Bill 1138 would reduce the cost for a medical marijuana card and SB 1137 would implement the testing of marijuana for harmful substances such as pesticides.

SB 1138 seeks to reduce the state fee from $150 to just $50, Tucson.com reports. The legislation would also make the initial card for new medical marijuana cardholders valid for 2 years. The state would be able to determine what the initial card fee would be under this legislation.  Following the first approval and valid 2-year card, medical marijuana cardholders would have to renew annually.

Senator Borrelli said, “It would relieve the burden on the Department of Health. They have such as short time in getting these cards in and out. So, for processing, why not have the card go for two years?”

SB 1137 seeks to take $2 million from the state’s medical marijuana program and give it to the Department of Agriculture to test medical marijuana. Testing would determine the types of toxins used and the safety of the medical marijuana in Arizona.

Senator Borrelli hopes these pieces of legislation will make the medical marijuana program more affordable and safer for the state’s patients.