Legalizing recreational marijuana is just hard to swallow - or inhale - - politically and personally. For some, the issue may come down to moral values. For others, it's a matter of compromise for the greater good of society. And to many others, it's about a justice system that unfairly targets marijuana users, especially minorities. As the debate over taxing and regulating the sale of cannabis gains steam in Arizona, I framed some questions to help me shape my stance - - and perhaps yours as well. [continues 698 words]
Legalizing recreational marijuana is just hard to swallow - or inhale - - politically and personally. For some of you, the issue may come down to moral values. For others, it's a matter of compromise for the greater good of society. And to many others, it's about a justice system that unfairly targets marijuana users, especially minorities. As the debate over taxing and regulating the sale of cannabis gains steam in Arizona, I framed some questions to help me shape my stance - -- and perhaps yours as well. [continues 881 words]
In their quest to loosen drug laws, three wealthy men have shelled out most of the $1.1 million spent so far to promote a November ballot initiative that would require Arizona state police to hand out free marijuana to the ill. University of Phoenix founder John Sperling and investors George Soros and Peter Lewis have contributed the bulk of the money to finance Proposition 203. The three have funded 19 initiatives in other states with a high rate of success. [continues 197 words]
Gubernatorial candidates Janet Napolitano and Matt Salmon put their political rivalry aside Wednesday to denounce a medical marijuana ballot initiative they believe would promote drug addiction and drain state police resources. The two top contenders joined forces with U.S. Drug Czar John Walters, who was in Arizona to persuade residents to vote against Proposition 203 in next month's election. "I'm proud to stand here with Janet Napolitano even though we're on a hotly contested race," said Salmon, the Republican nominee. "We know that marijuana is a gateway drug that leads to other drugs like cocaine." [continues 353 words]
Gubernatorial candidates Janet Napolitano and Matt Salmon put their political rivalry aside Wednesday to denounce a medical marijuana ballot initiative they believe would promote drug addiction and drain state police resources. The two top contenders joined forces with U.S. drug czar John Walters, who was in Arizona to persuade residents to vote against Proposition 203 in next month's election. "I'm proud to stand here with Janet Napolitano even though we're on a hotly contested race," said Salmon, the Republican nominee. "We know that marijuana is a gateway [continues 362 words]
The Maricopa County Attorney's Office is setting up a telephone line hoping to get tips that will lead to the arrest of those stealing hundreds of political signs in the Valley. The hotline began operating Thursday after surveillance cameras placed in Phoenix this week caught adults walking way with signs opposing a medical marijuana initiative on the Nov. 5 ballot. The cameras didn't pick up facial characteristics of the people stealing the signs, thus making it difficult to identify them, said Barnett Lotstein, a special assistant to the county attorney. [continues 147 words]
Prop. 302 Would Put Pressure On Drug Offenders Psychologist Larry Sideman and his staff spend a good chunk of their time chasing non-violent drug offenders sent by the courts to the Phoenix clinic for treatment. But their power of persuasion often fails, and annoyed judges and prosecutors can't lock the drug offenders up for refusing rehabilitation. That would change if Proposition 302 passes on the November ballot. It would tweak an existing law that mandates that first- and second- time offenders be diverted to treatment instead of put behind bars. [continues 480 words]
The war of words aimed at persuading you to vote in November for a range of ballot initiatives from medical marijuana to Indian gaming and a tobacco sales tax hike will soon fill the airwaves and inundate your mailbox. Television spots began airing Thursday promoting Proposition 201, which would let racetracks operate slot machines and promises to add millions of dollars to the state's coffers. The commercial features a man named Joe challenging voters to do the math to determine which of the three Indian gaming propositions is best for Arizona. [continues 501 words]
The state Department of Public Safety could end up distributing marijuana for free to virtually anyone who asks for it, opponents of a drug initiative said Monday. "It puts DPS in the drug distribution business," said Joe Garagiola Jr., senior vice president and general manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. "This is a bad thing for Arizona," said Garagiola, chairman of Battleground Arizona, a committee formed to fight Proposition 203 in the November ballot. The initiative, backed by University of Phoenix founder John Sperling, would require DPS to distribute up to 2 ounces of marijuana to each person who obtains a recommendation from a physician. A prescription would not be required. The measure would also decriminalize 2 ounces or less of the drug. [continues 275 words]
Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley has hired a lawyer at taxpayers' expense to handle complaints that he is misusing his office to fight a medical marijuana ballot initiative. "The accusations are absolutely bogus," said Barnett Lotstein, special assistant to Romley. "We felt it was prudent to hire an independent lawyer." At issue is Romley's involvement in attempts to defeat Proposition 203, the medical marijuana initiative in the November ballot, and allegations of his involvement in previous measures. State law prohibits Romley from using county resources to promote a ballot initiative. [continues 103 words]
A medical marijuana initiative has made it to the November ballot amid claims that Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley continues to misuse his office to fight the proposal. Proposition 203, which would require a state agency to provide marijuana to the ill and decriminalize small amounts of the drug, has enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, the Secretary of State's Office said Monday. Sam Vagenas, who is backing the ballot initiative, said Romley is using his county attorney's Web site to oppose the measure. State law prohibits Romley from using county resources to promote a ballot initiative. [continues 88 words]
Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley is challenging University of Phoenix founder John Sperling to a public debate over the merits of two November ballot measures related to marijuana. Sperling is backing a measure that would require a state agency to hand out marijuana to the seriously ill, let people cultivate up to two plants and carry small amounts of the drug without fear of harsh prosecution. Romley is promoting a measure that would allow judges to send first- and second-time drug offenders to jail if they refuse treatment. He is harshly critical of Sperling's measure. [continues 545 words]
