Marijuana legalization has been a hot topic in the United States for years, with different states adopting different policies regarding the use, possession, and sale of cannabis. While some states have fully legalized recreational and medical marijuana, others have only allowed medical use or decriminalized possession of small amounts. Arizona is one of the states that has legalized both recreational and medical marijuana, but not without some challenges and controversies.
The History of Marijuana Legalization in Arizona
Arizona voters approved Proposition 203 in 2010, which legalized medical marijuana for patients with certain qualifying conditions and allowed them to obtain up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis every two weeks from licensed dispensaries. However, the implementation of the law was delayed by legal battles and bureaucratic hurdles, and the first dispensaries did not open until 2012.
In 2016, Arizona voters rejected Proposition 205, which would have legalized recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older and created a system of taxation and regulation for the cannabis industry. The measure was opposed by a coalition of law enforcement, business, and political groups, who argued that it would increase crime, harm public health, and jeopardize federal funding.
In 2020, Arizona voters approved Proposition 207, which legalized recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older and allowed them to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana (with no more than 5 grams being marijuana concentrate), and to grow up to 6 plants at their home (with up to 12 plants in households with more than one adult).
The measure also established a 16% excise tax on marijuana sales, which would fund public safety, health, education, and infrastructure programs. Additionally, the measure expunged the records of people who were previously convicted of low-level marijuana offenses, such as possession, use, or transportation of less than an ounce of marijuana, up to six plants, or cannabis paraphernalia.
The Current Efforts to Decriminalize Marijuana in Phoenix
Despite the passage of Proposition 207, marijuana possession and use are still illegal under federal law, and some local jurisdictions in Arizona have their own ordinances that impose fines or jail time for marijuana offenses. For example, in Phoenix, the state’s largest city and capital, possessing or using any amount of marijuana is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $2,500 fine.
However, some residents and activists in Phoenix are working to change that by launching a petition campaign to decriminalize marijuana in the city. The campaign, called Decriminalize Phoenix, aims to collect enough signatures to place an initiative on the November 2023 ballot that would make marijuana possession and use the lowest law enforcement priority in Phoenix and prohibit the city from spending any resources on enforcing marijuana laws.
The campaign is led by a group of local marijuana advocates, including Sarah Wood, a former medical marijuana patient who was arrested and charged with a felony for possessing a small amount of cannabis in 2019. Wood said that she was inspired by the success of similar decriminalization initiatives in other cities, such as Denver, Colorado, and Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Wood said that the goal of the campaign is to protect the rights and freedoms of Phoenix residents who use marijuana, and to reduce the harms of the war on drugs, which disproportionately affects people of color and low-income communities. She also said that the campaign is not in conflict with Proposition 207, but rather complements it by providing an additional layer of protection for marijuana users.
The Conclusion
Marijuana legalization is a complex and evolving issue in Arizona, with different levels of government and different stakeholders having different views and interests. While the state has legalized both recreational and medical marijuana, some localities still have harsh penalties for marijuana offenses, and the federal government still considers marijuana illegal.
However, some residents and activists in Phoenix are working to decriminalize marijuana in the city by petitioning for a ballot initiative that would make marijuana the lowest law enforcement priority and prevent the city from spending any money on enforcing marijuana laws.
The campaign hopes to gather enough signatures to qualify for the November 2023 election, and to persuade the voters to support their cause. If successful, the campaign could have a significant impact on the marijuana policy and culture in Arizona’s largest city and beyond.