Jim Finnel
Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
MESA, Ariz. - When voters head to the polls in just nine days, medical marijuana will be one of the big issues on the ballot. It's a measure many think has a good chance of passing, which means cities have to be ready to distribute it.
This could be a brand-new industry, but could there be negative consequences? Where will the 120 dispensaries that would be allowed set up shop?
The city of Mesa is trying to get ahead of the vote by figuring out how they can have a say in the oversight of marijuana distribution locations.
Mesa fought hard against payday loan centers, many of which have closed after the sunset of the state provision allowing the risky loans in Arizona. But now the concern has turned to the marijuana dispensaries that might pop up if Proposition 203 passes.
Mesa City Councilman Scott Somers said legal or not, he doesn't like the image of legalized marijuana shops in his town, which he said is still struggling to get on its feet.
“We’ve been working very hard on the council to clean up Mesa’s image. In the past there were too many payday loan stores and now with those going away, we’re afraid these pot shops will become the new payday loan store,” Somers said.
California’s medical marijuana dispensaries have had their problems with criminal activity, but advocates in Arizona point out the differences between the states.
“California industry is not state regulated at all. It’s a completely unregulated industry. And in our case, we’re going to be regulating it from the outset,” said Andrew Myers, of the Arizona Medical Marijuana Policy Project. “So, a lot of the abuses that have taken place in previous states won’t be happening here.”
According to the latest poll, conducted by the Behavior Research Center, pot may be well on its way to limited legalization in Arizona, with 54 percent of registered voters supporting the measure and just 32 percent opposed.
NewsHawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: myfoxphoenix.com
Copyright: 2010 MyFOXPhoenix.com
Contact: KSAZ-TV FOX 10 News - Contact Us
Website: Mesa Finding Locations for Marijuana Dispensaries
This could be a brand-new industry, but could there be negative consequences? Where will the 120 dispensaries that would be allowed set up shop?
The city of Mesa is trying to get ahead of the vote by figuring out how they can have a say in the oversight of marijuana distribution locations.
Mesa fought hard against payday loan centers, many of which have closed after the sunset of the state provision allowing the risky loans in Arizona. But now the concern has turned to the marijuana dispensaries that might pop up if Proposition 203 passes.
Mesa City Councilman Scott Somers said legal or not, he doesn't like the image of legalized marijuana shops in his town, which he said is still struggling to get on its feet.
“We’ve been working very hard on the council to clean up Mesa’s image. In the past there were too many payday loan stores and now with those going away, we’re afraid these pot shops will become the new payday loan store,” Somers said.
California’s medical marijuana dispensaries have had their problems with criminal activity, but advocates in Arizona point out the differences between the states.
“California industry is not state regulated at all. It’s a completely unregulated industry. And in our case, we’re going to be regulating it from the outset,” said Andrew Myers, of the Arizona Medical Marijuana Policy Project. “So, a lot of the abuses that have taken place in previous states won’t be happening here.”
According to the latest poll, conducted by the Behavior Research Center, pot may be well on its way to limited legalization in Arizona, with 54 percent of registered voters supporting the measure and just 32 percent opposed.
NewsHawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: myfoxphoenix.com
Copyright: 2010 MyFOXPhoenix.com
Contact: KSAZ-TV FOX 10 News - Contact Us
Website: Mesa Finding Locations for Marijuana Dispensaries
