Former top prosecutor isn’t recusing himself from this week’s final decisions on ballot initiatives. An expert says his record raises questions about impartiality.
By Brahm Resnik | 12 News
When he was Maricopa County’s top prosecutor, Bill Montgomery was an unyielding opponent of legalizing recreational marijuana.
County Attorney Montgomery led the opposition to the 2016 ballot initiative on legalized marijuana. He spoke against it at debates and forums.
Montgomery joined a failed, last-ditch lawsuit to toss the initiative off the statewide ballot.
This week, Supreme Court Justice Montgomery will rule on whether to boot the 2020 version of the marijuana initiative off the ballot.
Montgomery hasn’t recused himself from that case or another initiative challenge that also raises questions about whether he can be impartial.
“Justice Montgomery has not recused from reviewing any ballot initiative matters,” Aaron Nash, communications director for the high court, said via email.
Related: County Will Let Marijuana Offenders Off the Hook If They Get a Card After Arrest
