HeraldReviewMedia's video: Medical marijuana cardholders worry that recreational users will empty the shelves

Good morning, it’s Friday, February 5th and this is The Herald Review’s podcast, the Daily Chirp. We’re excited to bring you a closer look at top stories, events in the community, local history, sports, and more.  Today - Local medical marijuana cardholders are beginning to worry that the onslaught of recreational pot users will empty the shelves. Before we begin, some local history. In 1988, more than a decade after the discovery of Kartchner Caverns in Benson, the state of Arizona purchased the land. They soon began developing the site into a state park, a process that took several years and millions of dollars.  Today’s history was brought to you by Benson Hospital. Benson Hospital’s comprehensive rehabilitation team strives to get you back on your feet and improve your lifestyle. Offering Physical, Occupational and Speech therapy. For more information visit bensonhospital.org or call 520-586-2262.  40 year old Renee Hopkins of Sierra Vista arrived at the Green Farmacy dispensary on South Naco Highway on Tuesday at about 12:30 p.m.  There were already more than 20 people ahead of her. Hopkins said that she doesn’t think the dispensary will run out of what she needs, but she has been told that the supply was limited. The passage of Proposition 207 in November legalized the possession, use and cultivation of marijuana for people 21 years old or older. There are limits, however, on how much individuals may possess and cultivate. Recreational users also must pay an excise tax of 16 percent. But for medical marijuana cardholders there are no age limits, they can purchase more and they don’t have to pay the excise tax, among others. The Green Farmacy, which sells to both medical and recreational users is currently the only one in Cochise County. James Burton who is 27, also from Sierra Vista said that he’s all for everybody being able to come down and get their recreational, but what about the people who spent the money to get their medical card? Burton suffers with post traumatic stress disorder. The management at Green Farmacy did not return a call on Tuesday regarding how they’re handling the demand by medical card holders and recreational users.   But a manager at The Prime Leaf, a dispensary in Tucson with two locations in the city, said their facility is still only selling only to medical marijuana cardholders. He said the business is preparing to open its doors to recreational users in April, but they want to plan and make some changes to their stores so they can really serve both groups. He also mentioned that the dispensary has served some patients from Cochise County recently. Sierra Vista’s Renee Hopkins, who has had her medical marijuana card for four years, said she thinks all the excitement and rush to dispensaries by recreational users will die down eventually. Though she thinks there’s a statewide marijuana shortage, she says that hopefully Arizona will begin to grow and cultivate more marijuana.  And James Burton agrees. To him,  there just needs to be more dispensaries, they need to be able to meet the demand. Now, a quick announcement about traffic fines - state lawmakers are moving to let motorists work them off instead. Brought to you by ApexNetwork Physical Therapy. Voted Best of Cochise County 2020, ApexNetwork provides exceptional care to the Sierra Vista and Benson communities. Choose ApexNetwork for all of your physical therapy needs. To learn more, go to ApexNetworkPT.com. HB 2110 would allow — but not require — a judge to convert a fine into community service. It would translate into $12 for every hour worked. Rep. Leo Biasiucci, said he doesn’t envision this being an option for everyone. He said many motorists will choose to go to traffic school or simply “pay the ticket and get done with it.’’ But for those who can’t afford the ticket — and may end up having their licenses suspended for failure to pay - it gets more complicated. He said the legislation makes it optional for a judge to offer community service instead. Next, we’re excited to highlight Aaron Edington who will be representing Pomerene School at the Cochise County spelling bee on February 13th. Brought to you by our sponsors, Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative. This year marks the second year that Edington, a 12-year-old seventh-grader, has emerged as Pomerene’s top speller and qualified for the county event When asked how he prepares for spelling competitions, Edington said his mother helps him by reading medical terms for him to spell, and his language arts teacher, Annette Richards, challenges him by giving him a lot of hard words. Agricultural, cemetery and cocoa are examples of some of the words Edington spelled correctly to get through his school’s spelling competition.