If the Marijuana Policy Project’s initiative to legalize weed in Arizona lands on the ballot and passes next year, the state’s education system could see a revenue of more than $40 million annually once the regulations are implemented, a press release from MPP says.

As a sign of good faith, MPP presented the state with a fake check for that amount during a news conference in Phoenix earlier today. 

“Generating revenue for our schools isn’t the only reason to pass this initiative, but it’s an important one,” says a statement by Lisa Olson, a Mesa teacher who participated in the news conference. “I support it because it will not only improve public education, but also public safety. Regulating marijuana would replace dealers on the streets with store clerks who ask for ID and only sell to adults.”

The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol proposes taxing marijuana at 15 percent from licensed retail stores selling to adults 21 and older. A lot of that money will be used for implementation, and enforcement of regulations. All additional tax revenue collected, 40 percent would go to the state’s Department  of Education for school construction, maintenance, and operating costs, and another 40 percent to the department’s full-day kindergarten programs, the release says.

The estimate is based on marijuana sales in Colorado, but adjusted for differences in state population and marijuana consumption rates according to federal survey data, MPP says. Total retail marijuana sales in Colorado exceeded $253 million in the first six months of the year, generating roughly $16.6 million for public school construction, according to the Colorado Department of Revenue, MPP says. 

The group has to collect more than 150,000 valid signatures to get on the November 2016 ballot. The campaign has already collected about 60,000 total signatures since May.

“We’re finding a lot of support among parents,” says J.P. Holyoak, chairman of the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol. “They don’t only see it as more money for schools, but also more control over marijuana. Marijuana should be sold by businesses that pay taxes and follow laws, not by cartels and criminals that evade them.”

This article appears in Aug 13-19, 2015.

I was born and raised in Guatemala City, Guatemala. I moved to Tucson about 10 years ago. Since I was old enough to enjoy reading, I developed an interest in writing, and telling stories through different...

6 replies on “Marijuana Policy Project: Legal Weed in Arizona Could Raise More Than $40M Annually for Education”

  1. Vote this down. Alcohol is poison and plays a part in tens of thousands of premature deaths every year in the U.S. alone. It carries serious long term and short term health risks.

    Cannabis is not alcohol and should not be subjected to the same prohibition-lite that will continue to needlessly ruin lives in the name of propping up government.

    100% free and clear of greed taxes and prison profits.

  2. “Medical Marijuana” is NOT like the Marijuana used in the 70’s and 80’s. Strains have been selected that substantially increase the potency of the drug. As such, it’s use poses serious potential consequence.

    While this Drug is effective in treating some conditions, Muscle spasms caused by multiple sclerosis, Nausea from cancer chemotherapy, Poor appetite and weight loss caused by chronic illness, such as HIV, or nerve pain, Seizure disorders, and
    Crohn’s disease, it’s use for these purposes should be monitored and regulated tightly.

    This Drug should NOT be legalized for recreational purposes!!!

  4. I love this media blitz that MPP is putting on this is nothing more than a commercial for forming a DEA at a state level. If anyone would take the time it is nothing even close to the regulation of Alcohol . This would build a new depart in the government to hire retired police and bureaucrats to have a department immune from the legislature on tax collection and disperse monies to education as it sees fit. This is just like the Kemper Marley dynasty that bought Retired Mafia to Tucson and built Arizona’s only billionaire. I don’t understand MPP presented a false fabricated check? I would ask MPP where did last years 112 million go into this media blitz and proposal?

  6. What is missing here is a look at what’s behind this. Arizona ranks among the lowest of the States in education funding. Why? Because the legislature and successive governors have raided education funding. Now the public wants education funding restored. But, the legislature and our Governor have deftly deflected the argument to “If you want more education funding, let’s raid the Trust Fund, let’s legalize marijuana.” I say, before we look for bandaids, let’s hold the Legislature and Governor accountable.

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