Arizona's largest daily newspaper supports legalization push

The largest newspaper in Arizona, backing the campaign to legalize recreational marijuana in the state on Sunday, wrote that "the time has come to correct the mistake" of prohibition made decades ago. The Arizona Republic editorial board endorsement of Proposition 207 will commence early voting for the general election on November 3 this week in the state. "The Republic of Arizona recommends that Proposition 207 be passed because we need to correct a historical injustice - decriminalize marijuana use and put the responsibility back on the individual to be wise about inferior substances like marijuana and alcohol," wrote the editors of the Newspaper. With a circulation of approximately 130,000 copies, the Phoenix-based Arizona Republic is the largest newspaper in the state, which gives its generally conservative outlook and advocacy a significant influence over the electorate. The drafting committee wrote that legalization of cannabis is inevitable, correcting an encroachment on state authority long ago. "It will be legal because the United States made a mistake in choosing to use criminal law to control marijuana use - an improper use of the government's most muscular authority," they wrote. "Now we are in a process of correction from state to state." Initiative legalizes cannabis for adults Under Prop. 207 the possession of up to one ounce of cannabis would be legalized for adults aged 21 and over, who are also allowed to grow up to six cannabis plants at home. The initiative also establishes a system for regulating and taxing commercial cannabis, with the proceeds being used for various public education and safety programs. The drafting committee noted that all of Arizona's neighbors, including Mexico, are on their way to legalizing cannabis. "California legalized recreational marijuana four years ago. New Mexico's governor won the election in part on a promise to legalize it," they wrote. "Colorado pulled the lever in 2012, and our sisters and brothers up north legalized medical marijuana two years ago. If the LDS Utah legalizes marijuana, it will be game over." Even with pushing for further legalization all around, the Arizona legislature failed to comply with calls for recreational pot legalization. This inaction led to Prop. 207, largely authored by the state's medical marijuana industry, a fact the editors consider less than ideal. "But state lawmakers have had enough time to stand in front of the parade and create the regulatory framework for the inevitable legalization of pot," they point out. "Over and over again, they have refused to do this. It is time to move on." A less than unreserved endorsement The Republic of Arizona support for Prop. 207 has not come unreservedly from the editorial staff, who proclaim in a humorous, if naive way, "We're not weed-sniffing cheerleaders." They add that the initiative is "a love affair for the existing marijuana industry because it was written by the industry. Nor are we fooled by the promise of multi-million dollar budget windfalls." However, with a majority of Aryans in favor of legalization according to opinion polls, polls show that it is time for the law to reflect the will of the people. "Consensus continues to grow in this state and nation that criminalizing marijuana was wrong. The time has come to correct the mistake." "The Republic of Arizona recommends that the Arizonans vote 'yes' on Prop. 207," the editorial team concluded.