Arizona is making its first attempt at cannabis legalization this year in hopes of catching up with other western states. Under Proposition 205, Arizona adults would be entitlted to the possession, use, and cultivation of up to six cannabis plants for personal use.
Arizona’s cannabis advocates have faced steep opposition to their bid to legalize the adult use of cannabis, including major contributions from both a pharmaceutical company and a prison services company. Arizona is one of the few states where prohibitionist efforts have actually outfundraised cannabis advocates.
Recently, several Colorado lawmakers penned an open letter to the Anti-205 campaign, asking them to stop misrepresenting the facts of Colorado’s legalization law and accusing that the group’s campaign commercials of being “highly misleading” and “wholly inaccurate.”
Check back to this post later for live updates. We’ll be updating and making notes about Arizona’s and other states’ legalization votes.
Update 12:18 am PST (Wednesday) – The Associated Press (via Google’s Election Checker) has declared that Prop. 205 failed to garner enough support to pass, with 52 percent of the popular vote in Arizona opposing cannabis legalization.
Update 11:11 pm PST – With 80 percent of precincts reporting, Proposition 205 is still behind in the popular vote — though support has risen to 48 percent and 52 percent are opposed.
Update 9:11 pm PST – Proposition 205 is still trailing in the popular vote at 47 percent support and 53 percent opposed, with 59 percent of precincts reporting.
Update 11:08 pm EST – With 30 percent of precincts reporting, Prop 205 is on the short end of a 47-53 percent vote, according to The Associated Press via Google’s Election Tracker.
Proposition 205, “Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act”
Personal possession limits: 1 ounce of flower, 5 grams of concentrates.
Taxes: 15 percent excise tax.
Fees: Distributor and product manufacturing fees cannot exceed $15,000 for the initial license; $5,000 for renewal.
Retail fees cannot exceed $20,000 for the initial license; $6,000 for renewal.
Cultivation fees cannot exceed $30,000 for the initial license; $10,000 for renewal.
Revenue disbursement: 80 percent allocated for education; 20 percent, Department of Public Health.
VIDEO: Overview of Cannabis Initiatives
Below is a brief overview of all the different state-level cannabis initiatives on the ballot this election cycle. With nine total states voting on expanding access to cannabis, this year presents an unprecedented opportunity for legalization advocates and medical cannabis patients.
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