Prop 205: Recreational Marijuana
By Greg Macafee, Kyle Wilcox, Cal Lundmark and Edgars Skvariks
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Most voters in Tempe acknowledged strong support for the Arizona Marijuana Legalization Initiative, or Proposition 205, today citing its projected tax income for education, cut down on arrests and regulation while some weren’t buying it.
People lined up out the door at the Rio Salado poll station waiting to cast their votes not only for the presidential election, but also for the legalization of marijuana for recreational use in Arizona.
If it passes, Prop 205 would allow Arizonans, 21 years of age and older, to use and possess one ounce or less of marijuana. The initiative also would regulate the manufacturing and selling of marijuana as well as placing a 15% tax on marijuana sales with funds supporting school districts throughout the state.
According to the Arizona Joint Legislative Budget Committee, the taxes on marijuana would reach $123 million in annual revenue with more than $55 million going to schools.
People lined up out the door at the Rio Salado poll station waiting to cast their votes not only for the presidential election, but also for the legalization of marijuana for recreational use in Arizona.
If it passes, Prop 205 would allow Arizonans, 21 years of age and older, to use and possess one ounce or less of marijuana. The initiative also would regulate the manufacturing and selling of marijuana as well as placing a 15% tax on marijuana sales with funds supporting school districts throughout the state.
According to the Arizona Joint Legislative Budget Committee, the taxes on marijuana would reach $123 million in annual revenue with more than $55 million going to schools.
The educational aspect won over one woman as she voted yes on Prop 205 because of its proposed allocation of tax funds going to schools.
“If it brings added revenue to schools, it seems like a no brainer,” said Valerie Thorsen. Another voter expressed support because he believes it would lead to the elimination of marijuana-related crimes. |
Sam Markoff said he approved of Prop 205 because of the strict criminal penalties associated with marijuana offenses. He said it is important to legalize marijuana to minimize arrests.
According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, there were 138,000 arrests for adult marijuana possession from 2005-2014.
Possession of any amount of marijuana is a felony in Arizona, which indicates why the number of arrests was high.
One man was not won over by the language on the ballet though.
“When I was a child, I experienced in my family a lot of drug use, also in the neighborhood,” said 41-year-old Ryan Wells. “I know it’s not crack, but I have seen what marijuana does to the people. I don’t like it.”
Several voters discussed how it was easier to just regulate and tax marijuana because it is already so widely available on the streets.
According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, there were 138,000 arrests for adult marijuana possession from 2005-2014.
Possession of any amount of marijuana is a felony in Arizona, which indicates why the number of arrests was high.
One man was not won over by the language on the ballet though.
“When I was a child, I experienced in my family a lot of drug use, also in the neighborhood,” said 41-year-old Ryan Wells. “I know it’s not crack, but I have seen what marijuana does to the people. I don’t like it.”
Several voters discussed how it was easier to just regulate and tax marijuana because it is already so widely available on the streets.
Huneeus also noted that he did not agree with the stances of the opposition. He believes that many are too worried about the effects of smoking marijuana and are stuck in their old preconceived views.Jose Antonio Huneeus, 66, voted in favor of the initiative because he wants it to be regulated instead of being sold illegally.
“Well I think that it’s better to have it regulated, since a lot of people smoke anyway,” said the retired journalist from Tempe. “If it’s illegal, then the only guy that profits is the dealer basically.” |
Huneeus also noted that he did not agree with the stances of the opposition. He believes that many are too worried about the effects of smoking marijuana and are stuck in their old preconceived views.
It appeared that most were in favor of legalizing marijuana for several reasons and soon we will know for sure if Arizona will become the fifth state to legalize it.
It appeared that most were in favor of legalizing marijuana for several reasons and soon we will know for sure if Arizona will become the fifth state to legalize it.
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