HB2298 Summary

• Establishes a new section 36-2812 to create competitive grants from the medical marijuana fund for FDA-approved marijuana clinical trials conducted by Arizona-based researchers at nonprofit organizations or universities.

• Prioritizes clinical trials studying treatment of autism, epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder, and pain, with requirements for approval by FDA, DEA, and institutional review boards.

• Authorizes up to $5,000,000 annually for five consecutive years to administer and award grants, with no more than 5 percent of funds used for administrative costs.

• Provides criminal prosecution exemption for grant recipients and their employees possessing marijuana cultivated for medical use while working on approved clinical trials.

• Requires approval by three-fourths vote of both legislative houses for the bill's effective implementation.