AZ Marijuana Arizona Marijuana Info
Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery has unwaveringly opposed marijuana for medicinal and recreational use in Arizona. Now, Montgomery is an applicant to become an Arizona Supreme Court judge, and his recent headway into the interview stage is a disturbing sign for the Arizona medical marijuana program.
Montgomery has attempted to interfere with the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act (AMMA), the Arizona Capital Times reports, yet the Arizona Supreme Court’s purpose is to impartially uphold Arizona’s laws, not obstruct them.
“…Montgomery’s background shows that he lacks traits necessary to serve in this capacity: He can’t fairly consider misconduct allegations, is driven by ideology and lacks appellate experience crucial to the highest court in our state,” stated Mikel Steinfeld of Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice.
Montgomery has used his position in attempts to thwart the state’s legalized medical marijuana program (that, luckily, have failed), but he continues to fight against the voter-approved law instead of accepting it.
For instance, his anti-marijuana stance led him to needlessly argue that federal law trumps the AMMA, which a judge rejected. He’s also tried interfering with the AMMA via zoning laws for medical marijuana dispensaries by saying that the permits issued were “aiding and abetting in the violation of federal law.” Again, this attempt failed.
If the Arizona Supreme Court’s job is to impartially uphold the law and Bill Montgomery has continually tried to dismantle the state’s voter-approved medical marijuana law, then why is he even being considered for the judgeship? If he somehow gets appointed, it would likely be catastrophic for the Arizona medical marijuana program.
Interviews are scheduled for March 1.
Contact Governor Ducey’s office and leave a comment regarding Bill Montgomery’s application to become an Arizona Supreme Court judge.
