Voters will decide this fall whether the state should legalize recreational marijuana.
Last Friday, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by opponents that included Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery and the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The opponents argued that supporters of the legislation were deceiving voters with the effect of the measure in the workplace, motorists, child custody and licensing of certain professions.
Judge Jo Lynn Gentry dismissed the arguments and said the measure, known as Proposition 205, will appear on the November ballot.
The initiative would legalize cannabis for recreational use and establish licensed locations where sales of the drug would be taxed, similar to the system in Colorado.
If voters pass the initiative, it would legalize marijuana for anyone 21 years and older. Arizonans would be allowed to have six marijuana plants per house, and marijuana sales would be subject to a 15 percent tax with the revenue directed to education and health care.
In 2010, voters passed the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act, which allows the drug to be used as a medicine. Marijuana remains illegal under federal law.
Proposition 205 qualified Aug. 10 for the November ballot when Arizona Secretary of State officially certified the petition submitted by the Committee to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol.
Proponents submitted more than a 177,000 signatures in support of the initiative.
The Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerces board of directors voted unanimously in February not to support the initiative, following the lead of the state chamber.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: Legal Pot Initiative Cleared For Fall Ballot
Author: Staff
Contact: 480-837-1925
Photo Credit: Thinkstock
Website: The Fountain Hills Times
