Not Supporting Prop 205
I STRONGLY support the legalization of marijuana but I’m voting no on Prop 205. I’m not a prohibitionist. I think the reefer madness propaganda campaign against Prop 205 is ridiculous. I’m naturopathic physician that provides medical marijuana certifications. I believe in medical marijuana – like many I have seen the miracles of this plant. I believe in recreational marijuana too – just not this way.
First, props to all the hard work done throughout the state in efforts to get legalizing marijuana on the ballot. There are many reasons why I’m voting no THIS time. (I’m intentionally avoiding the legal points because Im not a lawyer. But its important to remember that minor infractions can lead easily lead to felonies). I’ll boil it down to a few points against 205 that aren’t talked about
This is not a step forward. Many folks I hear that are voting YES say its not a perfect law but a step forward – “we can change it later.” If this law passes – we are stuck with it. This law is a VOTERS INITIATIVE – It can be changed by only 2 nearly impossible ways.
1) The Arizona Senate/Legislation
a) By a super majority vote (2/3+)
Pass an change that “furthers the intent” of the initiative.
A New initiative—starting all over—back to the streets collecting signatures and back to re-writing the proposition. Arizona legislation to date has NOT been an overwhelming strong supporter of medical OR recreational marijuana. The chance of change through the ladies and men in Phoenix currently is slim to none (especially with the needs to get a 2/3 majority vote). A new voters initiative? If the law passes there will be less incentive to make this happen. I fear people will become complacent with a law that is less than mediocre.
The Department of Marijuana licenses and Control: These are the folks that will be appointed by the Governor and will take over both the medical and recreational marijuana programs. They can amend any of the rules of the medical marijuana program and will take over all the monies. The governing board of this department will consist of the director and the marijuana commission – that consists of 7 members (4 of which have NO financial interest in any marijuana establishments and 3 that DO).The Governor will appoint an Enforcement Officer that will have “all the powers and duties of a peace officer” and create an internal task force for policing illegal activity. If this prop is the legalization of marijuana then why are we OK with creating more policing of marijuana activity? Why are individuals with financial ties to dispensaries allowed to make up almost 50% of the governing body? This is a frighting amount of control. Its too much overlap between the governing board, the making and the enforcement the rules and who they are governing and making the rules for.
Virtual elimination of free enterprise: There will be more jobs if prop 205 passes but there won’t be ANY new businesses until 2021. 2017-2021 all the licenses for recreational marijuana will solely be given to CURRENT medical marijuana dispensaries. In 2021 The Department of Marijuana licenses and Control may begin to accept new applications for marijuana establishments, but if they have greater applications than allowable, any application that is from a previous medical marijuana dispensary will be chosen first over any new folks that are competing for an application – this is forever.
Laws of licenses for cultivation are also skewed towards current medical marijuana dispensaries. It will be a tiered system. Only the highest tier, allowing UNLIMITED marijuana production, will be given to the current dispensaries— everyone else will have restrictions.
As physician and someone that believes in small business I will not support this. There are many talented people that didn’t have the $150,000, the luck of the lottery system to ‘win’ the opportunity of a medical marijuana dispensary, and people that aren’t even born yet that will have a major disadvantage in the future business of the marijuana industry. Simply because the laws strongly support the current dispensaries. Like any business dispensaries across the board vary in quality and service. This has been a great frustration. Lives have been saved and radically changed for the better with help from many dispensaries. There has also been situations where MEDICAL cannabis has contained mold, fungus, bugs, situations of poor information and people ripped off (80 year old woman with stage 3 lung cancer that bought $2100 of concentrated hemp oil believing it was a cancer cure comes to mind). Even if every current dispensary was perfect—they still deserve competition – immediately and the in future.
Competition will allow the best to rise to the top. Get out and vote and vote educated.
—Heather Moroso
This article appears in Nov 3-9, 2016.
Nonsense. None of these first, overly cautious laws are ideal. The rules will be adjusted over time just as they are in other places.
Right. All of the writer’s concerns are fair. But she treads into speculation with “impossible ways” and the idea that the current felony system is superior to an imperfect legalized system. And while it may be true that this system will advantage deep pocketed investors over mom and pop entrepreneurs, it would be naive to expect any other proposition to avoid this, especially in a state that is firmly in the hands of Republicans.
Progress is progress.
I had to vote for it. The anti-205 signs were just so stupid that I couldn’t ignore them
So does the writer advocate unregulated selling of alcohol as well? That system may not be perfect, but it’s worked fine since prohibition. And it has been updated reasonably well as conditions have changed (i.e., delivery of wine from out of state as one example). Why is marijuana different? I’m genuinely curious.
Its a step in the right direction, whereas if we choose to vote no, where does that leave us except with overcrowded jails full of petty users and the continued criminalization of what an adult can do in their own home. I believe in the people of Arizona just as how belief in the people of Colorado, Washington state, Oregon, and Alaska has led to their successful albiet sometimes abstruse implementation of their own laws.
Interestingly, the writer leaves out that she profits from the current system requiring physician recommendations to obtain a MMJ card. Should 205 pass, those who benefit from cannabis (including those whose afflictions do not appear on Arizona’s list of acceptable conditions for treatment with medical marijuana) will be able to bypass this expensive annual requirement and Moroso Medical Center will lose a lot of business.
Most of us know a patient or two with a MMJ permit, and they are not dope fiends. They are actual patients who are getting relief and comfort, and they don’t act weird. No doubt there are others who just like the high but at least they are smart enough, and have money enough, to get legal. The argument made that dispensaries are raking it in has merit, but that’s beside the point. Prohibition and penalties for “possession” do not work, and consequences created by up-tight, conservative, law enforcement (no matter what) types are destructive, outdated and prejudiced. Keep laws on the books for real mischief, mayhem and crime. Meanwhile, let anyone grow their own and stay free in America.
Heather also leaves out the fact that every individual will be able to grow 6 plants of their own. That is a huge step forward that gives more freedom to everyone (actual human beings). Not only will we be able to grow a plant without fear, but all of the innocent people who have been violently locked up will have a chance at freedom, and the prison population will plummet. Screw capitalism and entrepreneurism, i want freedom.
Dr.Heather Moroso is a very dedicated health professional. If you are one of her patients,you would know this. She isn’t JUST here to make a buck as a mm doctor. This woman cares about the human condition. It isn’t JUST about a plant to help and treat chronic pain etc….it is about the person,the patient and how this plant may cause some relief. We should all be so fortunate as to have such a caring and intelligent doctor. I am grateful to live in a state that has medicinal marijuana and Dr.Moroso has her practice here. Thank you so much!