Big obstacles face Democrat’s effort to legalize marijuana
Rep. Mark Cardenas, D-Phoenix, hopes to convince colleagues to approve legalizing marijuana for recreational use by adults.
Federal judges question Arizona’s restrictions on medication abortion
Federal appellate judges this morning questioned the legal justification of Arizona lawmakers in restricting -- if not banning outright -- the ability of women to terminate a pregnancy using medication instead of surgery.
Not seeing eye to eye: Optometrists, ophthalmologists battle over prescriptions
Optometrists want the ability to prescribe steroids, hydrocodone pain killers and other potentially dangerous drugs, but lawmakers say a bill allowing them to do so is circumventing the legislative process and would put the public at risk.
Brewer signs bill allowing surprise abortion clinic inspections
Gov. Jan Brewer put her signature today on a bill that allows for the unannounced inspections of abortion clinics, guaranteeing a lawsuit to challenge the law.
Judge allows ban on medication abortions to take effect on Tuesday
U.S. District Court Judge David Bury issued an order late this afternoon rejecting a bid to block implementation while the legality of the 2012 law is litigated.
Despite some concerns, federal agency scraps plans to end Arizona State Hospital certification
The Arizona State Hospital is finally meeting federal standards and will not lose its certification -- and millions in federal dollars.
High court hears arguments on marijuana driving case
The Arizona Supreme Court heard oral arguments today on whether the Legislature intended to keep the roads free from unimpaired people who have metabolites of illegal drugs in their system.
The untold story behind medical marijuana’s success
Despite all the coverage of “medical” marijuana in Arizona, the news media’s own role in promoting this law has gone unreported. Yet it’s an important story.
Dispensary opens amid court battles over medical marijuana
Bill Myer paces, watching the crowd grow outside his Glendale storefront’s floor-to-ceiling windows. His son Ben is in the back, behind bulletproof walls and windows, preparing for a long-awaited opening.
Outside, people are joking about Sheriff Joe Arpaio coming to arrest them when sirens are momentarily heard in the distance. Many had wondered whether police would show up on this brisk [...]