The Arizona Republic
A state legislator has once again introduced a bill to legalize recreational use of marijuana in Arizona. Advocates also are mobilizing to put the issue on the ballot in 2016.
They point to the example of Colorado and Washington to support their cause. But is full legalization of marijuana in Arizona a good idea? Editorial writer Linda Valdez and opinions editor Robert Leger debate the issue.
VALDEZ: I’ll be perfectly clear: I don’t smoke pot. I don’t think young people should use a substance that can negatively impact brain development and initiative. But I don’t think kids should drink alcohol, either.
When it comes to adults, however, it’s simply ridiculous to keep recreational marijuana illegal. Prohibition didn’t work with alcohol, and it isn’t working with marijuana.
