Arizona marijuana legalization discussion (Phoenix, Peoria: 2014, crime, felony)

[Champ le monstre du lac]

So I have a feeling the discussion would go either way in Arizona as there are a whole assortment of different laws in Arizona that sets the state apart from others. With all eyes on Colorado, it seems many other states are taking notes on the potential economic benefits and less strain on the prison/legal system.

Arizona has had legal medical marijuana since voters approved it on the ballot in 2010. Though there was also a recent raid in Peoria for an operation that was running an illegal dispensary (Peoria Police bust 5 for running illegal medical marijuana dispensary - Phoenix Business Journal).

Do you think Arizona will go the route of Washington state and Colorado in the future? If recreational marijuana were put on the ballot do you think it would be approved by voters, or is it still taboo by many that would show up at the polls? Perhaps it would have to be scripted and modeled in a certain way as a recreational ballot failed in Oregon in 2012 and it's largely blamed upon the ballot measure being too vaguely scripted on the course of action.

Perhaps RMJ may be plausible on a 2016 ballot in Arizona or at a minimum decriminalization with softened laws on marijuana.

[jburress]

It depends. If the AZ governor is a republican there's no chance at all. If they are a democrat, it's possible.

[Prodigal Native]

This wouldn't be in the Governor's hands, it would be on the ballot and the various elected officials in the state would have no say. Of course, the same is technically true with regards to MMJ, but that hasn't stopped our elected officials from doing everything they can to stop the will of the people from being implemented.

As for it actually passing, I doubt it. Although there a big pockets of blue this is a primarily red state and MMJ barely passed, RMJ is probably at least an 6-10 years down the road.

[Old Fossil]

The only thing I'll add to this discussion is the fact that if RMJ becomes legal in AZ, there will be lots of unhappy people who frequently travel north and south, east of Sasabe

[Doctacity]

Marijuana is a tricky issue, because while it leans towards the democratic party, it isn't exactly something that's a democratic or republican issue, so it's possible that AZ could be on the list of states awaiting the legalization of pot. But I would be surprised if the issue made it to the ballot by 2014, 2016 sounds more likely.

[waltcolorado]

Dear Arizona, please legalize MJ - before all your stoners move to Colorado....

(I live in Colorado..)

[Bondurant]

The party in power is irrelevant to legalization. It should be noted that the Democratic governor of Colorado was openly against legalization.

I support legalization of marijuana (and all narcotics). Prohibition increases crime and creates a huge waste of tax dollars. In regards to marijuana specifically I cannot fathom why a person should go to jail for growing, possessing or using a plant that grows naturally of the earth.

The current initiative will fail unless someone comes fourth with financial backing. Another legalization drive will begin a year or so down the road backed financially by the Marijuana Policy Project. They want the issue on the ballot during the presidential election cycle as more people will turn out to vote.

[autism360]

Possession of any amount of marijuana is still a felony in AZ, that felony record destroys lives and careers we first need to get simple possession decriminalized asap.

[chazk14]

Originally Posted by waltcolorado

Dear Arizona, please legalize MJ - before all your stoners move to Colorado....

(I live in Colorado..)

thank you colorado you can have all the annoying potheads

[chazk14]

Originally Posted by autism360

Possession of any amount of marijuana is still a felony in AZ, that felony record destroys lives and careers we first need to get simple possession decriminalized asap.

how about you don't break the law?