Phoenix New Times:  “Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery is worried he’s being forced to violate federal law by implementing Arizona’s voter-approved medical-pot law.  Meanwhile, President Obama said today that federal law enforcement officials have better things to do then prosecute adult use of marijuana by anyone in Colorado and Washington, considering that voters in those two states have spoken.  See the disconnect there?”

OTUS News:  “President Obama says recreational users of marijuana in states that have legalized the substance should not be a ‘top priority’ of federal law enforcement officials prosecuting the war on drugs.  ‘We’ve got bigger fish to fry,’ Obama said of pot users in Colorado and Washington during an exclusive interview with ABC News’ Barbara Walters.  ‘It would not make sense for us to see a top priority as going after recreational users in states that have determined that it’s legal,’ he said, invoking the same approach taken toward users of medicinal marijuana in 18 states where it’s legal.

Arizona Daily Star:  “State Health Director Will Humble said Thursday that he will license new dispensaries even if their owners have nothing ready to sell.  Humble said state regulations require that once dispensaries are licensed, they must immediately open their doors for customers and stay open for at least 30 hours a week. That means having something to sell.  But he said the law precludes anyone from even starting to cultivate some seeds to grow a crop until they have that license. Nor can they even ask others who have marijuana to let them have some until that moment.  So Humble has decided to provide a grace period to give new shop owners time to stock their shelves. And the amount of time provided will vary by each dispensary’s need.”

The Hill:  “Laws legalizing the recreational use of marijuana in Colorado and Washington state have exposed a wide disconnect between Congress, the administration and voters on an increasingly controversial issue.   The newly enacted laws put President Obama in a tricky spot, as evidenced by the Justice Department’s (DOJ) monthlong silence on the matter, despite pleas from lawmakers and the states’ governors for a concrete position.”

Arizona Republic:  “Nearly 34,000 Arizonans now hold cards giving them permission to smoke or grow weed, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Of them, a whopping 3.76 percent use marijuana to ease the symptoms of cancer. An additional 1.53 percent suffer from glaucoma, while 1.06 percent have AIDS.  Meanwhile 89.8 percent — 30,203 people — are seeking relief for ‘severe and chronic pain.’ Nearly 73 percent of ‘patients’ are men, and the people most likely to seek relief from their pain are 18 to 30 years old. More than 26 percent of cardholders are 18-30, while 13 percent are over 60.”

Arizona Republic:  “The state’s first medical-marijuana dispensary opened Thursday in downtown Glendale to dozens of waiting patients, two years after voters approved an initiative to legalize the drug for certain ill patients.  Situated on a tree-lined street near an antique store and a motorcycle shop, Arizona Organix does not look like the kind of place where patients can walk in and buy marijuana, except for a tall sign outside that sports a green cross, the symbol of the medical-marijuana industry.”

nj.com:  “New Jersey’s first medical marijuana dispensary opens Thursday after years of battles and bureaucratic delays in enacting a controversial law signed on former Gov. Jon Corzine’s last day in office.  The founders of Greenleaf Compassion Center in Montclair said today they expected to make the first legally sanctioned sale of pot late this morning — with only patients who have recommended by their doctor, registered with the state Health Department and scheduled for an appointment allowed to get through the door.”

The Evening Sun:  “In Washington – and, advocates hope, coming soon to a state near you – there was a well-funded and cleverly orchestrated campaign that took advantage of deep-pocketed backers, a tweaked pro-pot message and improbable big-name supporters.  Good timing and a growing national weariness over failed drug laws didn’t hurt, either.”

The Daily Chronic:  “Southern Arizona Integrated Therapies opened this weekend to pre-register patients and caregivers, and will begin dispensing medical cannabis  on December 11.

CBS:  “For the first time since CBS News began asking the question, as many Americans now think marijuana use should be legal as think it should not.  Support for legalizing marijuana inched up slightly from 45 percent in September to 47 percent today, according to a CBS News poll, conducted Nov. 16-19. Another 47 percent think it should remain prohibited. A year ago, a slight majority of Americans, 51 percent, opposed legalizing marijuana use.”

West Valley Opinions:  “Although bragging rights come with being the first licensed medical-marijuana dispensary in the state, the Glendale dispensary operators should keep in mind that all eyes will be watching them once they open their doors. . . . we are thankful AZDHS and its Director Will Humble will also keep close watch on the dispensary.”

azfamily.com:  “Arizona’s medical marijuana laws and traffic laws could be headed for a collision, and drawn-out court battles could be on the horizon. This on the eve of the opening of the state’s first medical marijuana dispensary in Glendale.”