Should Arizona legalize marijuana in 2016? (Tucson: sale, 2013, tenant)

[Wally Sconce]

Originally Posted by cactusland

Tax it and regulate it like anything else. It is a waste of tax dollars to be hunting down someone for casually smoking a joint when we can be making at least some cash off of it. I'd rather have the 53 million for our state than not. You can bet all of the snowbirds that come here to vacation will be partaking!

You could simply decriminalize it and make it a finable offence. 300 bucks an oz would add cash to the coffers and save a lot of court time.

28% sales tax on MJ in Colorado is keeping the illegal growers viable.

[new2colo]

Arizona voters should legalize it, but we won't. Firstly, I doubt either pro-marijuana group will get enough signatures to even have this issue placed on the ballot in 2016. Living in Colorado prior to legalization there, I had nearly daily calls from pro-marijuana groups asking my opinion about legalizing marijuana, asking me if I was registered to vote, and how I planned to vote on the issue. It doesn't even seem like the pro-pot groups are even trying to reach out to people to get their signatures. One of my coworkers has a medical card and says that there haven't even been petitions outside of the dispensaries. The pro groups don't seem to being doing outreach, which is vital in a state where only slightly over half of registered voters believe pot should be legal.

Secondly, if the initiatives actually make it on the ballot, there are too many people who are in places of power who will scare enough of the electorate into voting the measure down. As soon as the anti-marijuana focus turns to supposedly "protecting our children" it will be a wrap. Maybe 2020 will be the year that Arizona voters legalize it, but I highly doubt 2016 will be successful.

[Tall Traveler]

To me it's a no-brainer; increase taxes, reduce unnecessary jail population with less costs for enforcement, legal costs, and give people more freedom. I haven't partaken of the weed since I was very young and have no desire to do so but I think no one else should have the right to tell me or punish me if I chose to smoke again.

[GeneR]

I would rather not see more access to inebriates in our culture.

[whitem3]

I support the effort to legalize marijuana in Arizona

Home - Safer Arizona Cannabis Legalization Political Action Committee

Arizona Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2016) - Ballotpedia

Marijuana Legalization 2016: Five States Where It Could Happen

Second recreational marijuana legalization effort launched at Capitol | Arizona Capitol Times

Marijuana Info AZ | Marijuana Arizona Info | Arizona Marijuana | AZ Marijuana

[whitem3]

Originally Posted by DougStark

I'm curious if the law enforcement agencies have a financial reason to keep MJ illegal? After all, don't people who get busted have to pay big fines? I have no idea- anyone care to add to this question?

Financial Incentives for Drug Law Enforcement | Drug Policy Alliance

Driven By Drug War Incentives, Cops Target Pot Smokers, Brush Off Victims Of Violent Crime

How the Government Bribes Police to Arrest People For Smoking Pot | Alternet

[jamies]

Yes, but only if anyone can open a pot shop, unlike NV where it is all graft and corrtuption and some stores are funded by washed casino money.

So far the whole thing has been like taxi cabs, semi criminal enterprizes that only a few well placed people can get into, and make millions!

Otherwise, no.

[PoppySead]

Yes, they should. Our jails are crowded. I don't think it will do anything to stop gang biz, but it will free up some jail space which I'd like to see. Gangs move harder drugs, make them cheaper to offset the legalization and they traffic more weapons and humans when it goes legal. That's what they've done in CO and WA. Plus, the legal pot is expensive so most still use their original sources. But, it will keep more people out of jail, so I'd vote yes.

I feel bad seeing people arrested and put in jail for years because they made brownies with pot and gave them to a few friends and now they're a drug pusher. The punishment hardly fits the crime. I've never smoked but it seems the same as having a drink or two from what I've seen. Big deal. I know more people addicted to prescription meds than I do illegal drug users. The two I've know are dead now from it.

They won't do it though, they have a jail business here and need tenants to constitute privatizing the prisons, the more crowded the better. So, I have a feeling it will be a no go. Too bad, since our state is broke as hell and could use the revenue. Maybe they could fund welfare with it, or maybe train those jobless people how to grow it for the state.

It will be a NO though, we love business. Prisons want money. I would be surprised to see it come to fruition.

[RichCapeCod]

Originally Posted by DougStark

I'm curious if the law enforcement agencies have a financial reason to keep MJ illegal? After all, don't people who get busted have to pay big fines? I have no idea- anyone care to add to this question?

The question is a complex one. I'm a 41 year law enforcement veteran (20 years NYPD, retired lieutenant / 20 years Chief of Police, Wellfleet MA) and attempt to deal with it in my newest book, The Third Nation.

http://www.amazon.com/Third-Nation-a...e+third+nation

Here are some sections on the chapter, The War on Drugs. Hope this helps.

Rich

*

The War on Drugs

"Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into."

Oliver Hardy to Stan Laurel

I don’t like drugs. I don’t care for people who abuse drugs. I am not pleased with the too wide use of drugs for entertainment or social purposes. Those are my personal opinions, based upon my having dealt with addicted personalities for so much of my law enforcement career. Chemicals used for recreational purposes rarely serve either their user, or the larger society, in a positive way. There are many many types of drugs used for amusement and/or enjoyment by Americans today, ranging from the lawful –tobacco, coffee and alcohol– on through mild hallucinogens, to the opiates, synthetics and even the sniffing of glue and gasoline. There are so many substances used and abused by people in the United States that this chapter, and my comments herein, must be viewed in a very general way. After all, the purpose of this book is to examine the people who live and work along our southern border, it was not intended as a detailed overview of our drug laws. None the less, I have found it remarkable how much damage and danger human beings are willing to subject themselves to in order to achieve some degree of physical pleasure, or supply those willing to pay them in order to secure such a diversion. Even if it kills either, or both, of them. And drug trafficking most certainly does impact those living within The Third Nation.

*

Our anti-drug laws have evolved for over a century. They are, for the most part, not based on independent scientific observations as to the consequences of consuming any particular substance, but more often the result of political expediency and bureaucratic venality.

Marijuana is the poster-child for such governmental abuse. Once again, my disclaimer; I do not “like” marijuana. No more than I “like” any of the recreational drugs. But I do not believe the deleterious effects of this substance warrants the time, effort and resources which our nation’s law officers put into apprehending its sellers and users. Nor do I think it reasonable, or rational, to incarcerate people with long jail terms, for sale or use of this relatively innocuous plant product.

*

Regrettably, the War on Drugs seems to continue to mainly serve the interests of three groups;

Major illicit drug dealers, with their positions of political power and wealth, are virtually guaranteed immunity from the consequences of meaningful enforcement of our anti-drug laws. Regulation, government control and taxation of illicit substances would reduce the value of their products substantially. Without the continuation of this nation’s prohibition against drugs they stand to lose both wealth and power.

Law enforcement is served well by our current laws. It certainly permitted me to have a long career. Enforcement agencies can appear to be “doing something” when interdicting low level drug mules or when arresting small time sellers and street users. Forfeiture laws permit law enforcement to secure windfalls of wealth with minimal effort, often with little or no evidence to back up their seizures. Corrections, due to the criminalization of what is arguably a medical problem, has become a major industry in this nation. Our rate of incarceration is unlike every other first-world nation on the planet.

Our political leaders share in the benefits as well. They are able to pretend to be doing something positive in the “fight against crime” while at the same time promulgating laws which will ensure the problem will never go away.

[Sorel36]

If you legalize pot in AZ, a lot more leftist californians are going to move in. Just sayin'.