Arizona medical marijuana may get more qualifying conditions

Arizona may expand its fledgling medical marijuana program even as state officials are still moving to implement a key part of the law approved by voters two years ago.

The Department of Health Services is considering requests to allow people to get user permits for more medical reasons than those spelled out in the 2010 law. Those included cancer, glaucoma, AIDS, chronic pain, muscle spasms and hepatitis C.

Pending requests would expand the program to also permit for post-traumatic stress disorder, migraines, depression and general anxiety disorder.

The department holds a public hearing on the requests Friday.

Friday is also the deadline to submit applications to operate dispensaries to sell medical marijuana to users.

Up to 126 dispensaries will be permitted statewide, but only one per designated area.