Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
Sometime in the future, when Arizona next hosts a Super Bowl, there probably will be a marijuana pipe called the "Sooper Bowl" sold at head shops near the stadium; and a "natural grass" sponsorship deal that won't have anything to do with the football playing field, and an "In the Weeds" tent somewhere near the Phoenix Open with no affiliation to the tournament.
Because by late 2016 pot will be legal.
Exactly how marijuana becomes legal in Arizona, and how much control the state has over its sale, tax revenue and other regulations depends entirely on the Republicans who control the Legislature, and which of their two (self-perceived) mortal enemies they hate more: Democrats or ... you.
If their highest level of hatred is for Democrats legalization will come by statewide initiative.
If their ire is more focused on regular citizens, like us, then Republicans will have to do something that they probably could not endure without first smoking a joint — work with Democrats.
So I'd bet on an initiative, which is too bad. For the state, anyway.
Especially since Republicans really, really hate initiatives. It was a statewide initiative on education funding that has Republicans pulling their hair out trying to pay for it. When something is passed by voters, lawmakers have no easy way to alter it.
Republicans can avoid that problem when it comes to marijuana, however, if they were willing to go along with the idea that has been floated by several Democrats, most recently Rep. Mark Cardenes.
The legislature simply could pass a bill legalizing small amounts of weed.
It would preempt an initiative and, more importantly, give lawmakers control.
Cardenes suggested that Arizona could allow the purchase, possession and consumption of up to one ounce of marijuana for adults age 21 and older, as is the law in several other states. The legislature could then control regulations for dispensaries, personal consumption, growing the plants and so on. All things they might not be able to do if marijuana legalization is approved by initiative.
"This would give us (the legislature) more leeway," Cardenes told one reporter. "If there were unforeseen consequences, we could easily come back and adjust it the next year."
And the year after that, and so on.
Not too long ago a Behavior Research Center Rocky Mountain Poll found that 51 percent of Arizona residents were in favor of legalizing marijuana.
It's a reflection of changing times and changing attitudes.
It's also a reflection of a changing economic landscape. The movement to legalize marijuana isn't being led by a bunch of red-eyed stoners looking under the couch cushions for discarded marijuana "roaches" and Doritos crumbs.
They're organized. And they have money. Marijuana is big business. Really big.
A national organization called the Marijuana Policy Project already has filed paperwork to raise funds for a 2016 initiative to legalize recreational marijuana use in Arizona.
Back in November, a spokesman for the Marijuana Policy Project said, "It appears most Arizona voters are ready to adopt a more sensible policy. There were a large number of supporters who got on board (in 2010) and are ready to move forward."
So we've got two choices.
The Legislature can roll out their own bill or watch their control go up in smoke.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: At AZ's next Super Bowl the grass will be ... smoked
Author: EJ Montini
Contact: connect@12news.com
Photo Credit: Huffinton Post
Website: Arizona Local News - Phoenix Arizona News - Phoenix Breaking News - azcentral.com
Because by late 2016 pot will be legal.
Exactly how marijuana becomes legal in Arizona, and how much control the state has over its sale, tax revenue and other regulations depends entirely on the Republicans who control the Legislature, and which of their two (self-perceived) mortal enemies they hate more: Democrats or ... you.
If their highest level of hatred is for Democrats legalization will come by statewide initiative.
If their ire is more focused on regular citizens, like us, then Republicans will have to do something that they probably could not endure without first smoking a joint — work with Democrats.
So I'd bet on an initiative, which is too bad. For the state, anyway.
Especially since Republicans really, really hate initiatives. It was a statewide initiative on education funding that has Republicans pulling their hair out trying to pay for it. When something is passed by voters, lawmakers have no easy way to alter it.
Republicans can avoid that problem when it comes to marijuana, however, if they were willing to go along with the idea that has been floated by several Democrats, most recently Rep. Mark Cardenes.
The legislature simply could pass a bill legalizing small amounts of weed.
It would preempt an initiative and, more importantly, give lawmakers control.
Cardenes suggested that Arizona could allow the purchase, possession and consumption of up to one ounce of marijuana for adults age 21 and older, as is the law in several other states. The legislature could then control regulations for dispensaries, personal consumption, growing the plants and so on. All things they might not be able to do if marijuana legalization is approved by initiative.
"This would give us (the legislature) more leeway," Cardenes told one reporter. "If there were unforeseen consequences, we could easily come back and adjust it the next year."
And the year after that, and so on.
Not too long ago a Behavior Research Center Rocky Mountain Poll found that 51 percent of Arizona residents were in favor of legalizing marijuana.
It's a reflection of changing times and changing attitudes.
It's also a reflection of a changing economic landscape. The movement to legalize marijuana isn't being led by a bunch of red-eyed stoners looking under the couch cushions for discarded marijuana "roaches" and Doritos crumbs.
They're organized. And they have money. Marijuana is big business. Really big.
A national organization called the Marijuana Policy Project already has filed paperwork to raise funds for a 2016 initiative to legalize recreational marijuana use in Arizona.
Back in November, a spokesman for the Marijuana Policy Project said, "It appears most Arizona voters are ready to adopt a more sensible policy. There were a large number of supporters who got on board (in 2010) and are ready to move forward."
So we've got two choices.
The Legislature can roll out their own bill or watch their control go up in smoke.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: At AZ's next Super Bowl the grass will be ... smoked
Author: EJ Montini
Contact: connect@12news.com
Photo Credit: Huffinton Post
Website: Arizona Local News - Phoenix Arizona News - Phoenix Breaking News - azcentral.com
