Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
The opponents of legalizing small amounts of recreational marijuana are trying desperately to cloud the issue.
That's all they've got.
The latest to blow smoke into the faces of potential voters are Gov. Doug Ducey and the Arizona Association of County School Superintendents.
When Ducey was asked recently about Proposition 205 (Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol) he said, "If we want to expand this universe of people that are addicted and abusing drugs, well you'll have that chance in November."
He added, "I don't think that any state became stronger by being stoned."
I like that last line, even though it makes no sense. No state has become stronger by being drunk or by overdosing on prescription drugs, either. We don't criminalize those products, however, only their abuse. The same thing would be true of marijuana.
Still, Ducey continued, saying, "I would check your facts when you say something is not addictive, that something's safer than alcohol, and to look at the unintended consequences that have happened in states like Washington and Colorado."
In response, J.P. Holyoak, chair of the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, issued a statement reading, "Gov. Ducey suggested we check our facts about marijuana and alcohol, and we were happy to oblige. The facts are simple. Marijuana is less toxic, less addictive, and less likely to be associated with aggressive or violent behavior.
"Given these facts, we are left to wonder why Gov. Ducey would want to punish adults who prefer to use marijuana instead of alcohol. This is an especially important question to consider in light of the support he has shown for alcohol use in Arizona. We certainly do not object to Gov. Ducey's support for legislation to expand the availability of beer and wine. But if he is going to do so while prohibiting adults from using marijuana, it is he who needs to check his facts."
Boom.
The Arizona Association of County School Superintendents also announced its opposition to Proposition 205. In a press release, Yavapai County School Superintendent Tim Carter said in part, "No reasonable person in education can support expanded drug use among Arizona's kids while supporting their intellectual development..."
Duh.
Proposition 205 doesn't "support expanded drug use among Arizona's kids." Just the opposite. It would legalize cannabis for recreational use and establish licensed outlets where sales of the drug would be taxed, similar to the system in Colorado. The Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act would allow people 21 and older to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana and grow up to six plants in their homes.
The blanket prohibition against marijuana hasn't worked. It has put too many non-violent offenders behind bars and it has lined the pockets of drug cartels.
The public is coming to understand that.
That may be why an Arizona Republic/Morrison/Cronkite News poll found 50 percent of registered voters favor legalization, while 40 percent oppose the measure and 10 percent are undecided.
Still, it's going to get worse. More noisy. More cloudy. A Chandler pharmaceutical company, Insys Therapeutics, Inc., has made a $500,000 donation to the campaign opposing the legalization of marijuana. That's enough to produce a lot of disinformation and fear.
A lot of black, choking...smoke.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Doobie-ous Political Foes Still Blowing Smoke Over Legal Marijuana
Author: EJ Montini
Contact: 602-444-8000
Photo Credit: Chmee2
Website: The Arizona Republic
That's all they've got.
The latest to blow smoke into the faces of potential voters are Gov. Doug Ducey and the Arizona Association of County School Superintendents.
When Ducey was asked recently about Proposition 205 (Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol) he said, "If we want to expand this universe of people that are addicted and abusing drugs, well you'll have that chance in November."
He added, "I don't think that any state became stronger by being stoned."
I like that last line, even though it makes no sense. No state has become stronger by being drunk or by overdosing on prescription drugs, either. We don't criminalize those products, however, only their abuse. The same thing would be true of marijuana.
Still, Ducey continued, saying, "I would check your facts when you say something is not addictive, that something's safer than alcohol, and to look at the unintended consequences that have happened in states like Washington and Colorado."
In response, J.P. Holyoak, chair of the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, issued a statement reading, "Gov. Ducey suggested we check our facts about marijuana and alcohol, and we were happy to oblige. The facts are simple. Marijuana is less toxic, less addictive, and less likely to be associated with aggressive or violent behavior.
"Given these facts, we are left to wonder why Gov. Ducey would want to punish adults who prefer to use marijuana instead of alcohol. This is an especially important question to consider in light of the support he has shown for alcohol use in Arizona. We certainly do not object to Gov. Ducey's support for legislation to expand the availability of beer and wine. But if he is going to do so while prohibiting adults from using marijuana, it is he who needs to check his facts."
Boom.
The Arizona Association of County School Superintendents also announced its opposition to Proposition 205. In a press release, Yavapai County School Superintendent Tim Carter said in part, "No reasonable person in education can support expanded drug use among Arizona's kids while supporting their intellectual development..."
Duh.
Proposition 205 doesn't "support expanded drug use among Arizona's kids." Just the opposite. It would legalize cannabis for recreational use and establish licensed outlets where sales of the drug would be taxed, similar to the system in Colorado. The Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act would allow people 21 and older to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana and grow up to six plants in their homes.
The blanket prohibition against marijuana hasn't worked. It has put too many non-violent offenders behind bars and it has lined the pockets of drug cartels.
The public is coming to understand that.
That may be why an Arizona Republic/Morrison/Cronkite News poll found 50 percent of registered voters favor legalization, while 40 percent oppose the measure and 10 percent are undecided.
Still, it's going to get worse. More noisy. More cloudy. A Chandler pharmaceutical company, Insys Therapeutics, Inc., has made a $500,000 donation to the campaign opposing the legalization of marijuana. That's enough to produce a lot of disinformation and fear.
A lot of black, choking...smoke.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Doobie-ous Political Foes Still Blowing Smoke Over Legal Marijuana
Author: EJ Montini
Contact: 602-444-8000
Photo Credit: Chmee2
Website: The Arizona Republic
