[420 Girl]

PHOENIX, AZ — If Arizonans want to be able to inhale marijuana for medical purposes, they’re going to have to give something to the government.

On a 4-3 margin, the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday approved legislation that says if voters approve a “medical marijuana” law in November, anything sold from the dispensaries that would be set up is subject to the state’s 5.6 percent sales tax. The measure now goes to the full Senate.

Sen. Jorge Garcia, D-Tucson, who crafted Senate Bill 1222, said he supports the initiative to let those with “written certification” from a doctor get up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana every two weeks. He said more than a dozen other states have similar laws.

Prescriptions now are exempt from all taxes.

Garcia noted the initiative would let doctors give patients a “certification.” That gets around threats by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to revoke the prescription-writing privileges of any doctor that prescribed marijuana.

Andrew Myers, campaign manager for the initiative, believes it might give voters another reason to vote for it.

“Passing this makes it clear that enacting a medical marijuana law is not only the right thing to do for patients but it will also help pay for social services,” he said.

But that logic annoyed some lawmakers.

“I don’t think citizens should be prodded (into voting for this) by saying, ‘Look, if you legalize marijuana it’ll also help us with our fiscal problems,’ ” said Sen. Jack Harper, R-Surprise.

The initiative lists conditions that could be treated, from glaucoma and AIDS to chronic or debilitating conditions that lead to severe and chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures or severe and persistent muscle spasms.

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