AZ Lawmakers Have New Marijuana Legalization Proposal for the 2018 Ballots

House Concurrent Resolution 2037 (HCR 2037), sponsored by Tucson’s Rep. Todd Clodfelter and Maricopa’s Rep. Mark Cardenas, hopes to let Arizona voters decide in November on legalizing recreational marijuana in the state. It now requires passage by the Arizona House and Senate before it can be seen on November ballots.

If the resolution passes, adults over the age 21 could legally possess an ounce of marijuana and grow up to six plants at home, according to KTAR News. Plants grown at home would have to remain out of public view. Smoking in public places would remain banned.

Clodfelter believes it is inevitable that recreational marijuana will be legalized in Arizona. “Be in front of it, not behind it,” he told KVOA. “It’s all being the leaders we were elected to be and working together for the benefit of the community and the benefit of the state.”

The resolution allows each city and town in Arizona to ban the sale of recreational marijuana. Employers would have the power to ban employee use of the drug.

The current medical marijuana program in Arizona would remain intact.

A couple initiatives to legalize recreational marijuana will likely appear Arizona’s ballots this November.

Photo: azgovernor .gov