Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
The fight is on to legalize marijuana for recreational use in Arizona.
Many polls put the contest as a toss-up, but the opposition to Proposition 205 has received a barrage of media attention and gotten some big money from well known donors leading up to the Nov. 8 general election.
If the initiative passes, marijuana would be legal for those 21 and older, and be regulated in a manner similar to alcohol with tax revenue going to public education and public health.
Proponents say legalization would create a regulated market and licensed businesses, getting rid of the underground marijuana market and cartels, making communities safer, as well as creating new jobs. They also say it will allow law enforcement to focus on more serious crimes than marijuana possession.
Opponents say legislation would make marijuana big business, allowing marijuana companies to profit by targeting children, leading to more bureaucracy and creating impact costs, such as drug treatment and school dropouts, which would be greater than potential increases in tax revenue.
The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, the group in favor of the proposition, raised nearly $3.2 million, but spent much of it, according to a campaign finance report from the Arizona Secretary of State. The organization has less than $170,000 on hand.
Supporters include U.S. Reps. Raul Grijalva and Ruben Gallego, as well as Arizona Dist. 29 Sen. Martin Quezada, D-Phoenix.
The group opposing the proposition, Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy, is gaining steam - it has about $1.4 million on hand, with its biggest donation of $500,000 coming from Chandler-based Insys Corp, which is in the business of making an FDA-approved synthetic form of marijuana, and fentanyl, a highly addictive opioid used for pain relief.
The group's coffers includes $5,000 donations from Blue Cross Blue Shield and SRP.
The opposition to legalize also includes Gov. Doug Ducy, Arizona Sens. Debbie Lesko, R-21 and Judy Burges, R-22, as well as Arizona Reps. David Livingston, R-22 and Phil Lovas, R-22.
Annie Vogt, a No on Prop 205 campaign spokeswoman, said her group is targeting the West Valley hard, including Peoria specifically.
Volunteer canvassers and grassroots supporters in the area are daily talking to members in the community, handing out signs and literature about the impacts Prop 205 would have on these communities, she said.
"And those that aren't out in the field are making thousands of calls per week, including to undecided voters in the West Valley and Peoria. We also have hundreds of campaign signs up throughout the area, the most recent of which highlight the dangers of edible forms of marijuana to children," Ms. Vogt said. "At least a couple times every week, we're sending folks to community events, district and club meetings where Prop 205 is a focus of discussion. We are always looking for opportunities to extend our reach and make contact with undecided voters, and I'm confident our message is resonating."
Adam Kinsey, a pro-marijuana political committee spokesman, said the group is getting the word out through political signs, dozens of press conferences, town hall meetings and advertising, as well as a big online presence.
This week they started a phone bank launch, with an outreach planned for tens of thousands and possibly hundreds of thousands, Mr. Kinsey said.
"This will include voters who have not returned their ballot and those who will turnout for the election," he said. "It will go right through to the end of election day."
The Peoria Police Department has decided to stay out of the conversation about the legalization of marijuana for recreation use. Brandon Sheffert, a department spokesman, said if the proposition is approved by voters, it will affect everybody.
"No matter the outcome, we will continue to provide the citizens of Peoria with the highest quality of service possible," Mr. Sheffert said.
Some opponents of the proposition say if the measure is approved, it will have big effect on public safety. PUSD Governing Board President Matthew Bullock said he spoke with more than 20 police officers and although their personal opinions of marijuana vary, they all agree that between 60 percent and 80 percent of all daily calls they respond to have a drug component, whether it be theft to pay for drugs, or domestic violence-related, or being under the influence.
Although marijuana may have medical uses in a controlled situation, Proposition 205 is a poorly written attempt for legislating marijuana capitalism, as it will mainly benefit those who distribute and not schools or other organizations, Mr. Bullock said.
This proposition would create two new departments at the state level, charged with enforcement and regulation, and after those are funded, there usually isn't a lot left over for other purposes, he said.
"It is being advertised as more money for schools, but other states that have used this advertising technique to pass legalization ended up not getting much, if any new money into their classrooms," he said. "As a parent and school board member, I don't want money coming into our schools that was derived from taxes on marijuana, or alcohol, for that matter."
There are at least six medical marijuana dispensaries in the West Valley.
Mr. Kinsey said one big concern he has encountered, particularly from senior citizens, has been those with their medical marijuana cards who do not know how the new law could affect the existing dispensaries.
"The existing dispensaries will have the option to add adult-use, and prevailing wisdom is that they will." he said. "But this initiative does not change (the medical marijuana law) passed by voters in 2010."
Sun City resident Tamar Myers moved here about one year ago from North Carolina specifically for the legal medical marijuana program, run by Arizona Department of Health Services. She has suffered with severe back and shoulder pain for 13 years. To deal with the pain, she has long been taking Tramadol, but if she missed a dose, she had withdrawls. However, since she started taking marijuana, she said she has reduced her Tramadaol intake by almost 70 percent, and is close to 100 percent pain-free.
She supports the legalization of marijuana for recreational use because not all illnesses qualify for a medical marijuana card.
"When it comes to recreational use, I think there has been such a negative connotation to marijuana altogether, so that people in many situations are afraid to even approach marijuana," Ms. Myers said. "But if it were legal recreationally, they might come out of the closet, so to speak, and find relief."
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Battle To Legalize Marijuana Too Close To Call
Author: Philip Haldiman
Contact: 623-972-6101
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Your West Daily
Many polls put the contest as a toss-up, but the opposition to Proposition 205 has received a barrage of media attention and gotten some big money from well known donors leading up to the Nov. 8 general election.
If the initiative passes, marijuana would be legal for those 21 and older, and be regulated in a manner similar to alcohol with tax revenue going to public education and public health.
Proponents say legalization would create a regulated market and licensed businesses, getting rid of the underground marijuana market and cartels, making communities safer, as well as creating new jobs. They also say it will allow law enforcement to focus on more serious crimes than marijuana possession.
Opponents say legislation would make marijuana big business, allowing marijuana companies to profit by targeting children, leading to more bureaucracy and creating impact costs, such as drug treatment and school dropouts, which would be greater than potential increases in tax revenue.
The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, the group in favor of the proposition, raised nearly $3.2 million, but spent much of it, according to a campaign finance report from the Arizona Secretary of State. The organization has less than $170,000 on hand.
Supporters include U.S. Reps. Raul Grijalva and Ruben Gallego, as well as Arizona Dist. 29 Sen. Martin Quezada, D-Phoenix.
The group opposing the proposition, Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy, is gaining steam - it has about $1.4 million on hand, with its biggest donation of $500,000 coming from Chandler-based Insys Corp, which is in the business of making an FDA-approved synthetic form of marijuana, and fentanyl, a highly addictive opioid used for pain relief.
The group's coffers includes $5,000 donations from Blue Cross Blue Shield and SRP.
The opposition to legalize also includes Gov. Doug Ducy, Arizona Sens. Debbie Lesko, R-21 and Judy Burges, R-22, as well as Arizona Reps. David Livingston, R-22 and Phil Lovas, R-22.
Annie Vogt, a No on Prop 205 campaign spokeswoman, said her group is targeting the West Valley hard, including Peoria specifically.
Volunteer canvassers and grassroots supporters in the area are daily talking to members in the community, handing out signs and literature about the impacts Prop 205 would have on these communities, she said.
"And those that aren't out in the field are making thousands of calls per week, including to undecided voters in the West Valley and Peoria. We also have hundreds of campaign signs up throughout the area, the most recent of which highlight the dangers of edible forms of marijuana to children," Ms. Vogt said. "At least a couple times every week, we're sending folks to community events, district and club meetings where Prop 205 is a focus of discussion. We are always looking for opportunities to extend our reach and make contact with undecided voters, and I'm confident our message is resonating."
Adam Kinsey, a pro-marijuana political committee spokesman, said the group is getting the word out through political signs, dozens of press conferences, town hall meetings and advertising, as well as a big online presence.
This week they started a phone bank launch, with an outreach planned for tens of thousands and possibly hundreds of thousands, Mr. Kinsey said.
"This will include voters who have not returned their ballot and those who will turnout for the election," he said. "It will go right through to the end of election day."
The Peoria Police Department has decided to stay out of the conversation about the legalization of marijuana for recreation use. Brandon Sheffert, a department spokesman, said if the proposition is approved by voters, it will affect everybody.
"No matter the outcome, we will continue to provide the citizens of Peoria with the highest quality of service possible," Mr. Sheffert said.
Some opponents of the proposition say if the measure is approved, it will have big effect on public safety. PUSD Governing Board President Matthew Bullock said he spoke with more than 20 police officers and although their personal opinions of marijuana vary, they all agree that between 60 percent and 80 percent of all daily calls they respond to have a drug component, whether it be theft to pay for drugs, or domestic violence-related, or being under the influence.
Although marijuana may have medical uses in a controlled situation, Proposition 205 is a poorly written attempt for legislating marijuana capitalism, as it will mainly benefit those who distribute and not schools or other organizations, Mr. Bullock said.
This proposition would create two new departments at the state level, charged with enforcement and regulation, and after those are funded, there usually isn't a lot left over for other purposes, he said.
"It is being advertised as more money for schools, but other states that have used this advertising technique to pass legalization ended up not getting much, if any new money into their classrooms," he said. "As a parent and school board member, I don't want money coming into our schools that was derived from taxes on marijuana, or alcohol, for that matter."
There are at least six medical marijuana dispensaries in the West Valley.
Mr. Kinsey said one big concern he has encountered, particularly from senior citizens, has been those with their medical marijuana cards who do not know how the new law could affect the existing dispensaries.
"The existing dispensaries will have the option to add adult-use, and prevailing wisdom is that they will." he said. "But this initiative does not change (the medical marijuana law) passed by voters in 2010."
Sun City resident Tamar Myers moved here about one year ago from North Carolina specifically for the legal medical marijuana program, run by Arizona Department of Health Services. She has suffered with severe back and shoulder pain for 13 years. To deal with the pain, she has long been taking Tramadol, but if she missed a dose, she had withdrawls. However, since she started taking marijuana, she said she has reduced her Tramadaol intake by almost 70 percent, and is close to 100 percent pain-free.
She supports the legalization of marijuana for recreational use because not all illnesses qualify for a medical marijuana card.
"When it comes to recreational use, I think there has been such a negative connotation to marijuana altogether, so that people in many situations are afraid to even approach marijuana," Ms. Myers said. "But if it were legal recreationally, they might come out of the closet, so to speak, and find relief."
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Battle To Legalize Marijuana Too Close To Call
Author: Philip Haldiman
Contact: 623-972-6101
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Your West Daily
