Legalization wasn’t looking good for Arizona until lawmakers had an innovative idea. Following Governor Doug Ducey’s pledge to give Arizona public school teachers a raise, the state is in tight straits, budget-wise. Legalized weed would provide an untapped source of tax revenue. As of Monday, Democrats and Republicans are working together so that Arizona might source teachers’ raises from legal cannabis. Here’s what we know about recreational marijuana’s newfound support in the House.
The Bill That Would Legalize Recreational Marijuana
In early February, Democratic Representative Mark Cardenas and Republican Representative Todd Clodfelter put forward a bill that would legalize marijuana for those 21 and older. Specifically, Arizonans would be allowed to have up to one ounce on their person and 6 plants. Additionally, the legislation would ban outdoor marijuana smoking.
Arizona has long failed to pass legislation that would legalize cannabis. Medical marijuana only became legal in 2010 after a decade of failed initiatives. The state barely approved it, with only 50.1 percent in support.
In 2016, Arizonans voted on legalizing recreational weed. With 48.7 percent of the vote, the ballot initiative didn’t progress any further. Significantly, four other states legalized recreational marijuana that same year by popular consensus. In short, Arizona isn’t as weed-friendy as other Western states.
The Need to Fund Teachers Might Legalize Weed
This time, it looked like legalization legislation wasn’t going to make it to a popular vote. However, Governor Ducey’s commitment to giving Arizona teachers a raise could be good news for weed.
Across the country, legalizing weed has become one of the best ways to raise revenue. Colorado has built additional housing for the homeless. The state has also given out 600 college scholarships, all thanks to legal weed.
One of the