By Phil Riske, managing editor | Rose Law Group Reporter
Beginning a story with a question is frowned upon by journalism professors, but I can’t resist: Which will come first in Arizona — legalization of gay marriage or of recreational marijuana?
I’d bet on the latter. The most positive poll shows 58 percent support among Arizona voters. What I would not bet on is legislation that would put the question on the ballot this year.
Dear Lawmakers: It’s past time to get real.
Back in the day, it was headline news if someone got busted for possession of an amount of marijuana that is now legal in two states. Today, the big news is about the weekly seizure of hundreds of pounds of weed by law enforcement.
What a waste of manpower and money.
Another question, sorry: What if we were to spend all that human effort and treasure on treatment of alcoholism and drug addiction? Aren’t we tired of underground tunnels, money laundering, murder and mayhem associated with illegal pot?
Twenty-some states have wised up on medical marijuana, including Arizona. It’s now time for our state — which is hit by marijuana trafficking more than many other states — to get real about recreational use.
If for no other reason, with a sensible tax on pot, the state would not have to worry much about budget deficits anymore.
Push the Legislature to light(en) up.
