Arizona Capitol Times Your Inside Source for Arizona Government, Politics and Business

If you listen to those who want to legalize marijuana in Arizona, you’ll hear promises of how it will lower crime rates and end the black market. As a law enforcement officer in Colorado, I can tell you that these are empty promises and not what’s happening in Colorado. The problems have been much bigger than the benefits.

Arizona needs to face the fact that it its hundred year history as a state, it has done little to tangibly support or celebrate the dozen or so distinctive farming traditions of Native American communities found within its borders, nor of the other indigenous farmers (like the Yaqui) who have immigrated here to escape violence and oppression in their ancient homelands.

All educators should be concerned about this campaign, and quite frankly, offended by its tactics.

As state legislators, public safety is one of our highest priorities. An initiative legalizing marijuana for recreational use is on the November ballot – Proposition 205. If approved by voters, this would be a dangerous and costly disaster for our state and we are making this public statement to let you know why.

HB2023, Arizona’s new “ballot harvesting law” is difficult and expensive to enforce, and disproportionally affects minorities. This new law doesn’t even address fraud, a problem that its sponsor, Rep. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, noted in committee, is covered by previous legislation.

Washington’s top regulatory cop is at it again. The Environmental Protection Agency is pushing an obscure regulation that aims to duplicate the responsibilities of other federal agencies and preempt state authority, potentially driving an important industry out of business.

Mr. Mesnard’s decision to send his proposal only to Republicans is highly exclusive and only propagates the dysfunction that is inherent in a system government that considers only one point of view, like the Arizona Legislature.

Obamacare is proving to be very effective. Just not for the reasons Obama hoped it would. There is a revolution taking place among businesses all over the country. Small businesses especially are serving as “laboratories” – experimenting and innovating with new technologies and new processes – and doing away with the rules of arcane institutions that have controlled the health care industry for decades.

There’s a lot that’s right about Arizona! But not enough of us are talking about the good stuff. Maybe too few of us are aware of just how progressive the Grand Canyon State is in terms of creating healthy communities that foster environmental quality and economic prosperity.

Back in 2008, Arizonans voted 2:1 to stop payday lending in our state. Ever since the payday lender’s defeat at the ballot box, the industry has heavily lobbied to reinstate triple-digit interest rates.