Yvonne Wingett Sanchez

The Republic | azcentral.com

Medical-marijuana advocates are launching a long-shot effort to recall state Sen. Kimberly Yee, who they blame for blocking legislation that could have funded research of the effects of the drug on post-traumatic stress disorder.

Earlier this Legislative session, Yee would not allow a hearing of House Bill 2333, which would have allowed medical marijuana cardholder fees to fund a University of Arizona study to determine how medical pot would affect veterans with PTSD.

Veterans have tried to convince the state Department of Health Services, which oversees the state's medical marijuana program, to add PTSD to the list of qualifying conditions. State health officials have refused to add the medical condition, saying there is inadequate research about marijuana's effects on PTSD.

The UA study, spearheaded by Dr. Sue Sisley, has been approved by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Sisley, a vocal advocate for medical marijuana who treats veterans, hoped to finance part of the study with state money.

The Arizona Veterans Assistance Committee filed recall-petition paperwork on Friday with the Secretary of State's Office. The committee needs to gather 18,297 signatures by Aug. 2 to qualify for the ballot. The committee is backed by Arizona's chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, a national group advocating for marijuana legalization.

In a statement Friday, Yee said she is not opposed to university research to assist veterans.

"In fact, last year I was the lead sponsor of the legislation that even allowed for such research to occur at the University of Arizona, working with veterans and researchers around the table to make sure that bill passed," Yee's statement said. "Because of my concerns about limited state funds, I received assurances from those supporting such research that funds would come from the federal government or private donations and that no state money would be used. Today, they have turned their story around and have broken their promise."

Kathy Inman, executive director of NORML in Arizona, said the recall effort is aimed at raising awareness about the need to research marijuana's effects on medical conditions.

"We formed this committee to make a statement," Inman said. "We don't feel that one lawmaker should have the power to stymie this sort of research."

Kathy Inman, executive director of NORML in Arizona, said the recall effort is aimed at raising awareness about the need to research marijuana's effects on medical conditions.

"We formed this committee to make a statement," said Inman. "We don't feel that one lawmaker should have the power to stymie this sort of research."

HB 2333 bill had overwhelming support from the Arizona House of Representatives, passing on a 52-5 vote. It was then assigned to the Senate Education Committee, which Yee chairs.

Yee blocked the bill, saying she refused to place it on her committee's agenda because of "significant concerns" voiced by members of the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys Advisory Council. The council has criticized the effects of marijuana on children's health and wanted to use state money to raise awareness about the dangers of the drug.

Yee is in line with that approach.