Arizona’s marijuana laws are about to change.
What do you need now?
A source from the Marijuana Policy Project says the state is taking its first steps toward legalizing the drug.
That includes a bill to legalize recreational use.
We spoke with state Rep. Mikey Kelleher, R-Tucson, who is sponsoring the bill and said the changes to the laws are “very, very important” to the state’s economy.
Kellehearn’s bill was co-sponsored by Republican Rep. Kevin Coughlin, R of Tempe.
But the legislation will need the support of three other lawmakers, and Coughlins office says it is awaiting a formal introduction.
That’s a big challenge because it’s a bipartisan bill, he said.
“There are not going to be a lot of Democrats in the house,” Kellehere said.
He added that while he’s glad to see the bill get a hearing, he’s not optimistic it will get traction in the legislature.
“I’ve said it before, the bill is going to get passed,” Kellerehn said.
Kailes bill has a simple goal.
“We’re trying to make it a law that’s consistent with the state constitution and the Arizona constitution, and that it’s been in place since January 1, 2017,” he said in a news release.
He said the bill will not legalize recreational marijuana.
The bill has the support from a group that is also working to create a “legal, safe, and efficient medical marijuana industry.”
They’re the American Society for Cannabinoid Research.
They are a non-profit organization and have raised about $100,000 so far.
Kilehere says he is working with lawmakers to make sure the bill becomes law, but that the bill has to pass through the legislature first.
The legislature is set to take up the bill in January.
Killehearn said he wants to “make sure we’re going in the right direction” and said that the changes in the law will be announced “very soon.”
Read more at azcentral.com.