According to the Legislative Council, when the Drug Medicalization, Prevention, and Control Act of 1996 was passed, medical doctors were given the authority to prescribe certain pills and substances to treat diseases for seriously or terminally ill patients.

Richard Mahoney, Arizona's Secretary of State for 1990-1994, claims that although voters approved medical marijuana, the politicians have not allowed this to happen.

Proposition 203 will change the laws for drug offenders and marijuana distribution requirements. People who possess two ounces or less of marijuana will not be charged with a criminal offense, ending the problem of over-crowded prisons.

According to Judge Rudolph Gerber of Phoenix, the prisons are now filled by people that use small amounts of marijuana and urges the voters to vote "yes" on Proposition 203, so prisons can be used to lock up more "dangerous offenders." If passed, this proposition will save estimated millions in Arizona prison costs. That means less money spent by Arizona taxpayers.

This initiative also requires that any law enforcement agency that retrieves marijuana must deliver it to the Arizona Department of Safety for medical uses. In addition to the confiscated drugs, this would require quarterly shipments of marijuana, grown at the University of Mississippi, to be distributed free of charge by the medical department to all qualified medical users of the drug.

If Proposition 203 is passed, then the regulation of drug use will be enhanced. It will require that all marijuana growing sites be disclosed and criminal penalties given to anyone who uses or attempts to use false information in order to obtain marijuana.

In order to ensure that the drug is used properly by patients who need it, any user must have an identification card; if the individual does not have an identification card, they will be charged with possession.

The proposition limits access to those patients with cancer, glaucoma, and positive status for HIV or AIDS; however, if a patient should have severe pain, nausea, seizures, and/or muscle spasms, then the patient can also be qualified for marijuana for medical use.

People should have the right to use any drug that may heal their illness or relieve their pain. For Josh Burner of Mesa, marijuana has helped him maintain his appetite and his weight. Without the drug, he claims that he may not have survived. He urges voters to once again vote for marijuana to be legalized for medical purposes.