The midterm elections are less than three weeks away, and while cannabis doesn’t seem to be a hot-button topic this year, our decision could end up shaping not just the future of cannabis in Arizona, but in the U.S.
The Arizona chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws updated its candidate report card with a little more robust description of where candidates stand.
But first, some polls.
The latest poll conducted on cannabis legalization in Arizona indicates 63 percent of Arizonans support adult-use cannabis legalization, according to OH Predictive Insights in February. This is way up from 2016, when an Arizona Republic poll showed just 50 percent of voters in favor of legalization.
That 63 percent figure matches up precisely with a nationwide poll conducted by Quinnipac University in April.
Support was above 50 percent for just about every demographic polled, including Pima County (52.6 percent) and Maricopa County (63.8 percent). Only Republicans at 48.2 percent and rural residents at 49.8 percent fell below the 50-percent threshold.
The good news is Arizona’s current U.S. representatives roughly represent this breakdown with four Democrats and five Republicans. Rep. Martha McSally (R) even voted to expand access to medical cannabis for veterans in 2016.
U.S. Senate
The two likely candidates for Arizona’s open Senate seats both have verifiable voting records as representatives. NORML gives McSally a C-, despite her refusal to discuss the subject.
Democratic opponent Rep. Kyrsten Sinema has a split record on cannabis, voting in favor of states’ rights, but against federal legalization. NORML gives Sinema a B.
U.S. House
In Congressional District 3, Rep. Raul Grijalva’s (D) opponent Nick Pierson has been silent on cannabis, and in lieu of a voting record or personal contact information, NORML refused to give him a grade.
Grijalva on the other hand is heralded as a “champion on the issue,” supporting legalization at every opportunity. NORML gives Grijalva an A.
In Congressional District 2, former Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D) supports medical cannabis, but does not yet support adult-use legalization. NORML gives Kirkpatrick a C.
Her opponent, Lea Marquez Peterson, president of the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, has donated to the anti-cannabis Smart Approaches to Marijuana initiative. Unsurprisingly, NORML gives Marquez Peterson an F.
In Congressional District 1, Rep. Tom O’Halleran (D) isn’t hollerin’ about cannabis. With a brief tenure in the House, he hasn’t had an opportunity to vote on cannabis legislation, either. For avoiding the topic, NORML gives O’Halleran a C-. His opponent, Wendy Rogers, considers legalization a state’s prerogative, but you won’t find her supporting recreational cannabis any time soon. NORML gives Rogers a D.
State Races
In the race for governor, Gov. Doug Ducey appears to be coming around to the idea, signing off on hemp in the last legislative session and meeting with the Arizona Dispensaries Associations. Since May, though, he hasn’t quite made himself available, presumably busy with an election. NORML gives Ducey a C-.
His challenger, David Garcia, railed against the appellate court ruling rendering concentrates illegal, but hasn’t shown much support otherwise. NORML gives Garcia a B+.
In the race for attorney general, republican AG Mark Brnovich has done little to help or hurt the cannabis industry. He did let Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery fall flat on his face with his failed crusade against cannabis, so there’s that. NORML gives Brnovich a C.
Democratic challenger January Contreras hasn’t made up her mind about legalization but has supported the medical program and called for relaxing enforcement in the state. It’s not much, but it isn’t hard to beat Brnovich’s middle-of-the-road approach. NORML gives Contreras a B+.
In the race for secretary of state, state Sen. Katie Hobbs (D) has said she supports the medical program, and has co-signed legislation but not much else. NORML gives Hobbs a C.
Republican candidate Steve Gaynor takes a hardline stance against legalizing recreational cannabis. NORML gives Gaynor an F.
Though cannabis likely isn’t your sole concern when it comes to representation, the field offers few surprises in the way of support and opposition along party lines.
This article appears in Oct 18-24, 2018.
Oh, I thought the candidates were literally “on cannabis”. Grijalva kind of looks like he is.
I don’t understand why anyone would be against the legalization. Why? Because they just think it’s “wrong” ?
Liberal Democrats socialist KYRSTEN SINEMA and DAVID GARCIA are running for Senate & Governor respectively. Sinema / Garcia both proudly supports “restructuring or “abolishing” ICE, sanctuary cities, amnesty for millions of illegal aliens, using taxpayer funds for illegal aliens & DACA. In addition, both are weak on border security and national defense. Garcia supported by both La Raza & MALDEF.
If you OPPOSE illegal immigration, taxpayer funds used for illegal aliens, sanctuary cities, amnesty r Please VOTE NO for KYRSTEN SINEMA & DAVID GARCIA this November….we can’t afford anymore Democrats.
Vote Doug Ducey and Martha McSally for Governor and senate.
ote this election for candidates who prioritize citizens over illegal aliens (bet you thought that was a given …not anymore.) Those who oppose sanctuary cities, open borders, non citizens voting, amnesty for millions of illegal aliens and taxpayer funded in state college tuition discounts for illegals. That means NO Democrats. Democrats want to encourage, reward, protect illegal aliens with jobs, amnesty, drivers licenses, discounts for college tuition, scholarships, then after they’re here….protect them from deportation. This creates MORE illegal entry and the Democrats know this.
Recent Gallup poll- almost 60% of Democrats now view socialism positively, little changed from 2010 survey.
The current migration at our southern border is costing taxpayers a Kings Ransom. Fleeing persecution? or fleeing for freebies? they sure don’t stay in Mexico when they reach “safety” or ask for political asylum in Mexico. Why? because Mexico will give them NOTHING. So they make the long journey to our border, our generous Democrats and our tax dollars. Just debating DACA in congress is costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars….. thank the parents.
Just a few examples of the more outrageous costs associated with illegal immigration, we will pass this burden on to our children and grand children as has been passed on to us.
*The cost of educating illegal aliens children is staggering. From K-12 it costs taxpayers $122,000 for EACH illegal alien student. This does not include the billions spent on bilingual education for illegal aliens.
*Taxpayers in numerous states are funding in state college tuition discounts for illegal aliens. Cost to taxpayers over a billion dollars annually.
*30% percent of all Federal Prison inmates are illegal aliens.Does not include local jails and State Prisons. At $21,000 per year expense per inmate in Federal Prison U do the math.
*$3Million Dollars a DAY is spent to incarcerate, process Illegal aliens in the Criminal justice system. I repeat 3 MILLION a DAY.
*$2.2Billion dollars a year is spent on is spent on food assistance programs such as SNAP (food stamps) WIC, & free school lunches.
If you OPPOSE illegal immigration, taxpayer funds used for illegal aliens, sanctuary cities, non citizens voting, open borders, amnesty for millions of illegal aliens, weak border security, tax increases. VOTE NO for ALL Democrats this November.
Typical civil liberal.
The people against ANY use of MJ are not the one’s benefiting from it’s use. So they are distant from the issue, “outside” looking in so to speak. Clinical research has proven MJ and components have medical value. This fact is undisputed. The Federal Govenment says there is “No ” use in MJ, and then took out a patient on it because of future medical use, i.e. a stream of income.
They can’t have it both ways for very long.
I’m concerned with Congress man Grijalva. He definitely has a problem with alcohol. Nobody can make rational decisions under the influence. He needs to spend some time in rehab for the good of his constituents.
Grijalva always reminds me of the Corpse-Eating Beetles every time he slithers out of a pile of crap. Other than copious amounts of alcohol, he is a coprophagic on the arse of Arizona. Around 1994-195, I did some work in his office. I overheard a few of his telephone conversations and I realized that he is why lawyers have such bad reputations. Grijalva is one low life humans.