On August 9, 2011, Alan Sobol sent the following message to the public.
The 2811 Club Welcomes the Court Challenge
Phoenix August 8, 2011. Arizona Attorney General Tom Horn issued a news release yesterday announcing that he filed a complaint for Declaratory Judgement asking the Courts to rule on the legitimacy of Cannabis clubs. What Mr. Horn did not say was that Mr. Sobol, the marketing agent who developed the Cannabis Club business model in question, filed for a Declaratory Judgment weeks ago, also asking the Court to render a decision on whether or not the 2811 Club business model was legal under Arizona State law . Sobol’s Action is still awaiting a response from the Attorney General’s office. The 2811 Club welcomes this Court intervention.
The 2811 Club, LLC opened it’s doors for business on July 4th 2011. This Club was Arizona’s first Cannabis Club. The 2811 Club is an Educational and Resource facility with a campus intended as a venue for qualified patients to learn, share knowledge, exchange medication and network together. “This is a membership only club, you must be a qualified patient and possess a Arizona medical marijuana card issued by the AZDHS to enter” says Sobol.
Once inside, the club provides a safe, clean, well managed facility which includes an array of services designed to meet the needs of Patients including, extensive educational classes, a comprehensive marijuana Library, and on-line research services, pain management services and demonstrations, daily entertainment, specialized discounts on various marijuana related products and services, marijuana testing services, strain consulting, and perhaps most importantly the unique ability to safely network with other qualified patients.
Patient to patient transfers are permitted under the law so long as nothing of value is exchanged. In fact the Club is named after the provision of the law that specifically allows such exchanges: A.R.S 36-2811. Both Horn and Sobol agree, that the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act does permit qualified patients the right to freely exchange their medication. However, the law does not specify where such exchanges must take place. For example, the law does not require such exchanges to take place in a Dispensary. The 2811 club does not sell or distribute marijuana whatsoever. The club simply provides a safe venue for qualified patients to freely exchange marijuana among themselves, so long as it is done in full compliance with the law. Any membership fees charges are for use of the facility and its extensive services, and not for the sale of marijuana as alleged by Horn.
Additionally, In the good faith and spirit of the law the Club provides free space to a Compassion Association comprised of qualified patients and caregivers who also distribute free samples ( approx 4 grams) of their own individually grown, very high quality, medical grade marijuana. This medication is independently tested ,professionally labeled and packaged. Other then the space it donates, The 2811 Club has no affiliation with this private not-for-profit compassion club. Qualified, credible and highly skilled caregivers who are associated with the Compassion group, make themselves available to qualified patients who wish to register them through the AZDHS program. There is simply no safer way for qualified patients to obtain the medication they voted for.
Moreover, any qualified patient is welcome to visit the club and exchange their medication with other club members. Qualified patients do not have to utilize the 2811 Club to exchange their marijuana, however, they choose to visit this facility because they know that all members of the Club are qualified patients, the facility offers extensive security, provides numerous other services including extensive education and marijuana testing, and it’s simply a great place to meet other qualified patients. In the absence of such a facility, qualified patients would be forced into the streets, or risky Craigslist advertising to attract other patients. Sobol says the club fill a niche, it is the merely the vessel that brings qualified patients together and is absolutely legal. Some patients join the club just to take advantage of the extensive educational services provided by the Arizona Cannabis University, which is included in the membership fees. The club maintains strict membership rules to assure full compliance with the law. The 2811 Club is presently the only safe, dignified and legal way for qualified patients to comply with the law.
We believe Mr. Horn’s Compliant is in Violation of the Arizona Voter Protection Act, is an abuse of his authority, and moreover is further evidence of the bad faith efforts on the part of Arizona government officials to thwart the will of the Arizona Voters. In an apparent attempt to justify a repeal of the Medical marijuana Act in 2013 some of our elected officials are apparently trying to create mayhem in this industry. The Governors actions are merely a self filling prophecy. Mr. Horn’s Civil Action alleges that there is no provision in the law that allows for this type of Cannabis Club. The fact is, there is no provision in the law that specifically precludes it either. The fact is qualified patients can legally meet in practically any venue to exchange their medication. For example, If two qualified patients were to meet at a Movie theater to exchange their medication, would Mr. Horn move to close down all theaters? We believe that government officials have a obligation to uphold the laws of this state. They should be exerting their energies on how to safely implement the Arizona Medical Marijuana law rather than conspiring to to stop it. Properly managed facilities like the 2811 Club can provide qualified patients statewide with an organized, professional and fully compliant network of patient and caregiver exchanges sufficient to meet the needs of this program.
It is outrageous for Mr. Horn to suggest that the 2811 club is some how deceptive. We have been totally transparent in the development and operation of our Club. The 2811 Club has repeatedly invited all law enforcement, including Mr. Horn, to visit our facility. In fact, on August 1, 2011 we sent the Attorney General a request for a meeting to discuss the legal issues concerning Cannabis Clubs. The e-mail stated in part;
“It has always been my intent to operate in full compliance with the law, therefore, if there is some specific legal statute, or compelling and meritorious argument that would preclude such business operations in Arizona then, in that case, I would most definitely withdraw my proprietary licenses and cease all marketing efforts. Absent such specific limitations or regulations, I believe it would be in our mutual interest to meet and review Cannabis Club operations. I look forward to hearing from you.”
There was no response from Mr. Horn!
We adamantly believe that our 2811 club business model is in full compliance with State Laws and we welcome the opportunity to expedite this matter in the Courts.
We again extend an invitation to all law enforcement and government officials to come visit our facility. We have nothing to hide. We take great pride in the fully compliant facility we have developed, and the services it provides to our members.
We thank our members for their continued support, and encourage all those who suffer with the qualifying conditions to apply for a Medical Marijuana Card. We have a Doctor on site who will review your records and, if qualified, write you the required recommendation. In a further effort to demonstrate our true desire to help we are again lowering our price for Doctor Evaluations to $65.00. (The Lowest evaluation price in the State).
Please feel free to contact us directly with any questions, 602-993-5600 or visit our website for more information: the2811club.com.
Thank you
Allan Sobol, Marketing Director
The 2811 Club, LLC
