KM-HQ; November 5, 2020
As anticipated, Arizona has become the 13th state to legalize cannabis, meaning that possession and consumption will be legal for adults 21 and older after voters passed Prop 207 on Nov 3, 2020 by 60% to 40%. As in Oregon, voters in Arizona have agreed up to 1 ounce of cannabis, but interestingly, Arizonans will be allowed no more than 5 grams being concentrates (extracts).
Smart and Safe Arizona is the main group responsible for the measure. According to them, the organization had raised $5.47 million, including $1.425 million from Harvest Enterprises, Inc., a marijuana firm. CuraLeaf, a medical marijuana business, provided $750,000, and Copperstate Farms, LLC, also a marijuana firm, provided $400,000.
Naturally, KM agree with the disposition of The Arizona Republic Editorial Board, who said: "The Arizona Republic recommends passage of Proposition 207 because we need to right a historic wrong — to decriminalize marijuana use and put the responsibility back on individuals to choose wisely when it comes to low-grade substances such as marijuana and alcohol. ... But consensus continues to grow in this state and nation that we were wrong to criminalize marijuana. The moment has come to correct the mistake."
However, an important thing to note in our opinion is that through October 17, 2020, Arizonans For Health and Public Safety, who are the main group Against this initiative had raised $833,338, including $240,351 from the Center for Arizona Policy Action—a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization. The Arizona Chamber of Commerce provided a total of $103,559 to the opposition campaign. I's important in our opinion that canna-warriors know the disposition of the oppressors in their state, such as Lisa James, chairperson of Arizonans for Health and Public Safety, and Todd Griffith, former director of the Arizona State Crime Lab: "We have seen the toll marijuana and other drugs take on individuals and their families. Legalizing marijuana with this misleading proposition will lead to more families suffering heartbreak. Ignore what Big Marijuana says about the proposition they wrote. The fine print in their 17 pages of new laws reveals the truth. The industry has only one interest, and it’s not yours."
Also Arizonans should be aware of the words of Garrick Taylor, senior vice president of government relations and communications for the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry "Despite the assurances of marijuana proponents, more harm than good will result from legalization. The potential consequences of legalization are severe, ranging from an uptick in workplace accidents and lower overall workplace productivity, to jeopardizing our workforce development efforts, to costs that come with drug treatment and rehabilitation. We’re already navigating a global pandemic; we don’t need to put even more stress on the public health system."
Robert Leger, spokesperson for Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy sounded like a repeat of the ole Reefer Madness propaganda parrots from the 30's, saying : "I think there's a lot here to worry about. If you have a vote that says it's OK to use it, I think those kids who might be on the fence might are more likely to say 'The voters say it's a good think to have, it can't be bad for us.' I think it makes more legitimate in the eyes of a teenager." And last and more skeptical is Gov. Doug Ducey (R): who stated: "The ballot measure promises new tax revenue for a variety of causes, but states like California and Massachusetts have only raised a fraction of what was promised. The promises are great, and yet the money never seems to materialize or do what’s been promised. ... Arizona has a bright future, but fully legalized marijuana doesn’t need to be part of it. The current system with medical marijuana is serving the people who need it for health-related reasons. We don’t need the wholesale expansion that full-throttle legalization will bring."
The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) will issue licenses following the application acceptance period from Jan 19 – Mar 9, 2021. Many medical marijuana dispensaries will get a recreational license which will allow them to sell medical and recreational marijuana from their current medical marijuana dispensary location(s).
Naturally, the Arizona Department of Health Services (DHS) are and will be responsible for adopting rules to regulate including the licensing of dispensaries, cultivation facilities, and production facilities. Adult residents in Arizona will now be able to cultivate up to six cannabis plants per individual’s primary residence and twelve plants at a residence where two or more persons 21 or older reside.
What we also of course know, is that a 16% excise tax (similar to alcohol and cigarettes) will be imposed on recreational cannabis sold at state-licensed dispensaries. The tax revenue will fund various state agencies and community programs.
Note: Arizona Cannot impliment these new laws until their votes are confirmed, which is projecting to be in early December, so hang on a little bit longer guys.
Thank you for your continued interest and support- please stay tuned for future updates!
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