Pubdate: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 Source: Kingman Daily Miner (AZ) Copyright: 2014 Kingman Daily Miner Contact: http://www.kingmandailyminer.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3469 Author: Doug McMurdo Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/props.htm (Ballot Initiatives) PROMOTERS PROMISE HIGH REVENUE FROM MARIJUANA Two Marijuana Measures on the Table in Arizona KINGMAN - Backers of two marijuana initiatives - one that would reduce the penalty for possession of the weed from a felony to a civil fine and another that would fully legalize recreational use for Arizonans 21 years or older - are in the process of gathering the necessary signatures needed to place them on November's ballot. Susan Piccinino, president of CannibiNation AZ, is the point person in Kingman. CannibiNation AZ is an affiliate of Safer Arizona, a Tucson-based marijuana advocacy group that is trying to gather roughly 259,000 signatures by the July 3 deadline to have either measure on the Nov. 4 ballot. Piccinino, 60, favors "total legalization," but she said the state's economy would benefit if either measure passes. A pair of Phoenix lawmakers introduced the proposed legislation last month. Rep. Mark Cardenas' HB 2474 would significantly reduce penalties for marijuana possession. Cardenas, a Democrat, proposes a civil fine of $100 for possession of less than one ounce of marijuana. Currently, possession of any amount of marijuana by someone without a valid medical marijuana card is a class 6 felony. A person in possession of between one ounce and two pounds of marijuana that is not for sale would be guilty of a petty offense. Possession of larger amounts of marijuana, whether for sale or not, would remain a felony, but at a less serious classification. The legislation has relatively harsh penalties for juveniles who are convicted of possessing any amount of marijuana, with the penalties focused more on treatment than punishment. Many Arizona prisoners currently serving time for marijuana possession would become eligible for parole if they meet certain prerequisites. "We would save money on law enforcement and prisons, create new jobs and dramatically reduce the criminal elements that produce pot today and (smuggle) it into America," said Piccinino. "Marijuana prohibition is unjust, inhumane, and a waste of police, legal and taxpayer resources. It is the essence of unwarranted big government intrusion into our private lives." Legalization, she said, would do even more good. Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Phoenix, introduced HB 2558, which if approved by voters would legalize recreational use of marijuana. Gallegos has said marijuana prohibition has ruined lives and that the time has come to take the law off the books. But the bottom line could be the bottom line. Colorado recently announced it collected roughly $2 million in legal pot taxes in January; the first month marijuana became legal for recreational use in that state. If Arizona voters approve the measure, Gallego's legislation includes a $50 excise tax per ounce of marijuana that a grower sells to a retailer. There are provisions in place that would allow lawmakers to increase or decrease the excise tax, depending on the state of the economy. Piccinino said a Rally the Vote event will take place April 19 at the Historic Route 66 Swap Meet at Route 66 and Thompson Avenue. [sidebar] Where pot taxes would go HB 2558 would: * Dedicate 30 percent to the Department of Education * Dedicate 10 percent to the Department of Health Services for voluntary treatment for alcohol, tobacco and marijuana abuse and another 10 percent to the department for a public education campaign to teach juveniles and adults about the risk of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use. * The remaining 50 percent would go into the state general fund. While advocates hope to land the initiatives on this year's ballot, two other states might have a better chance for passage this year. A push to legalize the drug in strongly libertarian Alaska looks promising for advocates, and a push to do the same in liberal Oregon has picked up momentum. Piccinino and CannabiNation AZ will host a "rally the vote" event in Kingman on April 19. Show me the money If HB 2558 becomes law and marijuana is legally sold and taxed in Arizona, the state could collect even more in excise taxes than Colorado has since legal marijuana sales began in that state in January. This suggestion is based solely on a population comparison using data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau for 2013. Arizona 6,626,624 Colorado 5,268,367 Difference 1,358,257 Colorado Gov. John W. Hickenlooper recently said revenue from legal marijuana sales would reach $134 million next fiscal year. The state collected about $3.5 million in the sale of both medical and recreational marijuana in January, with $2.1 million coming from recreational sales. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom