Judge Rules Against Maricopa County In Medical Marijuana Case

By Dennis Lambert
Published: Tuesday, October 15, 2013 - 12:26pm

A judge has overturned Maricopa County's zoning ordinance which restricts where medical marijuana dispensaries can be located. 

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Michael Gordon has ruled the 2011 local law was a "transparent attempt" to keep the businesses out of county islands, areas that are outside incorporated cities and towns.

Gordon's ruling is a win for the operators of a dispensary planned for the Sun City area.

The judge says the county wrote the zoning ordinance so that it wouldn't allow dispensaries to be established because marijuana remains illegal under federal law.

Gordon ruled in favor of White Mountain Health Center but told both sides in the case he will listen to further arguments on the practical effects of his ruling Monday.