What proponents aren't telling you about Prop. 207, which would legalize pot in Arizona
Opinion: Proposition 207 claims to offer protections if voters agree to legalize marijuana. But there's a lot more in the act that advocates aren't mentioning.
The campaign to legalize recreational marijuana in Arizona calls its ballot measure “smart and safe.” It is neither.
The misleading title, however, is only the most prominent example of the industry claiming to do one thing while their proposition does the opposite.
Start with the first 13 words of Proposition 207’s summary: “This Act permits limited possession, transfer, cultivation, and use of marijuana (as defined) …”
“As defined” is the tipoff. Prop. 207 will do far more than legalize the green, leafy plant.
High-potency pot is addictive, dangerous
To maximize profits, Prop. 207 redefines marijuana to include the resins extracted from the plant — what current law calls cannabis, subject to stiffer penalties for illegal use and possession. The industry uses these resins to make products with THC (marijuana’s psychoactive ingredient) of 85% to 99%. Compared to the marijuana plant with THC levels averaging 15%, this is crack marijuana.
Prop. 207 will allow personal possession of one ounce, an amount equivalent to up to 2,830 doses of high potency marijuana. High-potency THC is addictive, which is exactly why the industry wants it legalized. Addicted customers spend more.
Elevated THC levels also are linked to a fivefold greater likelihood of developing psychosis, but that doesn’t faze the industry. It doesn’t have to pay for lost and wasted lives.
This is just the beginning of Prop. 207’s harmful provisions.
Proponents know pot-related DUIs will climb
For instance, Prop. 207 defines a marijuana-DUI as “impairment to the slightest degree.” That sounds really tough. It isn’t. Under current law, the presence of impairing metabolites of marijuana is a DUI violation.
Prop. 207, though, says police and prosecutors can’t use this concrete, measurable standard. Instead, they must use an observation of “impairment” that can easily be attacked in court. The industry is looking out for its customers. The number of impaired drivers on Arizona roads will increase, just like in Colorado where marijuana-related traffic deaths increased 109% since legalization — one death every three days.
Amazingly, Prop. 207’s backers acknowledge this. They toss a few dollars at police for DUI enforcement, while making it harder to enforce. One more way to say one thing while doing another.
Minors caught with drug face slap on the wrist
Proposition 207 claims their intent is to legalize marijuana only for those 21 and older. So why do they drastically reduce penalties for underage use and possession? The slaps on the wrist Prop. 207 prescribes are far less severe than penalties for underage possession of alcohol.
Common sense tells you where that will lead. Like Big Tobacco, Big Marijuana aims to hook its customers early. That’s bad for our youth – studies have shown the toll marijuana takes on young, developing brains — and it boosts the industry’s profits.
Prop. 207 supporters say smoking marijuana in public will be banned; they fail to disclose that vaping or dabbing in public will be OK. They say cultivation will be limited; they omit that this provision applies only to individuals.
More Arizona families will suffer
The industry will be allowed to grow, produce and sell unlimited amounts. They say cities and counties can regulate the sale and production of marijuana; they omit that this provision doesn’t apply if a medical marijuana facility already operates in that locality.
We have seen the toll marijuana and other drugs take on individuals and their families. Legalizing marijuana with this misleading proposition will lead to more families suffering heartbreak.
Ignore what Big Marijuana says about the proposition they wrote. The fine print in their 17 pages of new laws reveals the truth. The industry has only one interest, and it’s not yours.
Lisa James is the chair of Arizonans for Health and Public Safety, which opposes Prop. 207. Todd Griffith is the retired director of the Arizona State Crime Lab. Reach them at info@azhealthysafe.com and griffithtodd5@gmail.com. Learn more at www.azhealthysafe.com.