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Marijuana Legalization Plan in Arizona Is Polling Surprisingly High

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New poll numbers suggest that most Arizonans want to be legally allowed to buy, use, and grow cannabis under state law, just like most of its neighboring states.

The poll, by HighGround Public Affairs Consultants, was conducted among 400 likely voters between May 18 and May 22. The numbers reflect how far Americans, in general, have come in their thinking about marijuana prohibition over the past few years. And it reveals something of a sea change in Arizona conservatives’ view on cannabis.

The legalization measure proposed for 2020, Smart and Safe Act Arizona, is supported by 65 percent of voters, plus or minus the poll’s margin of error of 4.9 percent. That’s substantially higher than 2016’s failed effort, Prop 205, ever polled.

Democrats and Independents, naturally, support the initiative in overwhelming numbers.

Yet even older folks and Republicans are in favor of this year’s cannabis legalization initiative, according to the poll.

Fifty-six percent of Republicans definitely or probably will be voting for it; 63 percent of voters aged 50 to 64 were in the category of definitely or probably, as were 55 percent of voters 65 and older.

Support from the latter category was a “bit of surprise,” said Paul Bentz, HighGround’s vice president of research and strategy. The firm noted in its release about the findings that it hasn’t been hired by any group related to the initiative or its opposition.

The 65-and-older group usually polls at 50 percent support or less for marijuana legalizations, Bentz said. Besides the country’s overall momentum toward legalization, the Smart and Safe campaign seems to have worked out the “nitty-gritty” details that have bogged down other legalization campaigns in Arizona and other states, he said, smoothing over worries that some Republicans have by banning the sale of THC-infused gummies and other candy-like edibles that appeal to kids.

“The Highground poll is encouraging and tracks with what we know — Arizonans are ready to legalize marijuana,” said Stacy Pearson of Strategies 360, which is running the campaign on behalf of its sponsors, a group of the state’s legal medical marijuana dispensaries. “And in this economic environment, the need for new tax revenue is even more important to our state.”

Smart and Safe would allow Arizonans 21 and older to legally possess up to an ounce of marijuana, five grams of which can be in the form of concentrates. Possessing between one and 2.5 ounces would be a petty offense only. Arizonans could grow six marijuana plants, or a maximum of 12 if two people live in the home. The proposal also requires penalties for minors who possess or buy cannabis; caps the number of dispensaries to 150 initially; provides for “social equity” licenses for communities harmed by prohibition; and gives the Department of Health Services oversight of the adult-use program.

The initiative needs 237,645 valid voter signatures to qualify for November’s ballot. Pearson said the campaign is “on track to turn…

Source: https://mmpconnect.com/marijuana-legalization-plan-in-arizona-is-polling-surprisingly-high/

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