Ariz. court asked to put marijuana ruling on hold

By Associated Press

PHOENIX (AP) - Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery is asking an appeals court to temporarily suspend a judge's ruling on the legality of Arizona's medical marijuana program.
 
Montgomery is appealing a judge's ruling that the county must provide zoning clearance for a Sun City medical marijuana dispensary because federal drug law doesn't stand in the way of implementing Arizona's medical marijuana law.
 
The Court of Appeals scheduled a hearing Thursday on Montgomery's request Friday for a stay.
 
State Health Services Director Will Humble says suspending Judge Michael Gordon's ruling probably would affect only processing of the Sun City dispensary's application.
 
But he says a broad ruling on federal pre-emption could affect the entire medical marijuana program.
Montgomery contends county employees could be federally prosecuted if they facilitate marijuana growing, distribution or marketing.

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