By Evan Wyloge
Arizona Capitol Times
A Republican state senator is gaining bipartisan support for bills that would reform Arizona’s medical marijuana law rather than repealing it, as one Republican lawmaker would prefer.
Sen. Kimberly Yee, R-Phoenix, introduced four bills late Monday that she says strengthen Arizona’s medical marijuana program, making it more workable in the long term.
Yee’s proposals come as Rep. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, wants voters to repeal the medical marijuana law in 2014 with a revote on the system narrowly approved by Arizona voters in 2010.
“All of these four bills are alternatives to repealing the law,” Yee said.
Yee said she did not support the medical marijuana ballot measure in 2010 but stressed that a complete repeal could backfire on Republicans.
“We, Republicans, have to be strategic and smart about what we put forward,” she said, “and the sentiment is that when we try to repeal something, it looks like we’re trying to undo the will of the people.”
Yee said she would expect a repeal bill to drive medical marijuana supporters to the polls in 2014, and that she thinks those same voters would vote against Republican candidates “up and down the ticket.”
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle and both chambers have co-sponsored at least one of Yee’s bills, including Republican Sens. Chester Crandell, Steve Pierce, Kelli Ward and Steve Yarbrough, along with Democratic Sens. Steve Gallardo, Katie Hobbs, Jack Jackson Jr., Linda Lopez and Robert Meza.
Republican Reps. Brenda Barton, Kate Brophy McGee, Heather Carter, Justin Pierce and T.J. Shope have joined Democratic Reps. Lela Alston, Chad Campbell, Mark Cardenas, Eric Meyer and Martin Quezada in support of at least one of Yee’s bills.
Also: Federal bills seek loosening of marijuana laws
If you’d like to discuss medical marijuana, contact Ryan Hurley, director of the Rose Law Group Medical Marijuana Dept., rhurley@roselawgroup.com
