By Linda Kor Arizona voters just made recreational marijuana legal throughout the state. That vote came in with 1,809,852 (59.9 percent) ballots in favor and 1,213,200 (40.1 percent) against. What that means is that anyone that is 21 or older is permitted to grow, buy, consume and possess up to one ounce of marijuana. But smoking in public will continue to be banned. Those who choose to can grow no more than six marijuana plants in their residence, as long as the plants are within a lockable enclosed area and beyond public view. Possession becomes legal when election results are certified in about a month and sales should begin early next year. The Arizona Department of Health Services will be starting with the medical marijuana dispensaries already operating in the state for retail licensing. The nearly 120 medical-marijuana dispensaries operating in the state today will be allowed to sell the drug to anyone over 21, not just people who have a doctor’s recommendation and state-issued medical-marijuana card. The proposition also places a 16 percent tax on marijuana sales, in addition to the existing transaction privilege tax and use tax. Revenues from the tax will be divided between community college districts, municipal police, sheriff and fire departments, fire districts, the state’s Highway Users Revenue Fund and a new Justice Reinvestment Fund. Prop 207 will also allow anyone convicted of certain marijuana-related crimes including possession, consumption, cultivation and transportation to petition for the expungement of their criminal record starting on July 12, 2021. It is anticipated that the legalization of marijuana in Arizona will generate upwards of $300 million annually. Proposition 208 passed as well with 1,561,302 (51.9 percent) in favor and 1,444,501 (48.1 percent) against. This will place an income tax surcharge on individuals earning $250,000 or more or married joint filers earning $500,000 or more. These funds will be used towards public education. Residents in the City of Winslow voted in favor of Propositions 426, with 1,655 votes in favor and 1,150 opposed. This ordinance amendment will levy a special one percent sales tax for an additional period of five years from July 15, 2021, providing that 25 percent of the proceeds be transferred to the Winslow Memorial Hospital (doing business as Little Colorado Medical Center) with the remainder to the city. Winslow residents also voted in favor of Proposition 427, with 1,764 votes in favor and 1,050 against. This amends the Winslow City Code by adding a new human rights chapter related to the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, familial status, age, disability, or veteran status, in public accommodations, employment, and housing.
