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AZ Court of Appeals judges at Thursday's hearingPHOENIX (AP) -
Arizona Court of Appeals judges are refusing to temporarily suspend a judge's order requiring Maricopa County to provide zoning clearance for a planned medical marijuana dispensary.
A three-judge panel ruled after a Thursday hearing on the county's request for a stay of Superior Court Judge Michael Gordon's Dec. 4 ruling pending an appeal. [Click here to read the full order (PDF)]
Gordon had ruled that the county must provide zoning clearance for a Sun City dispensary because federal drug law doesn't stand in the way of implementing the state's medical marijuana law.
Deputy County Attorney Tom Liddy said county employees could face federal prosecution if they facilitate the opening of a marijuana dispensary.
ACLU of Arizona attorney Kelly Flood opposed the request, saying no government employees have been prosecuted for helping administer medical marijuana programs.
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