Category Archives: Arizona Politics

A Resolution pointing out the reasons to vote against legalizing marijuana in Arizona passed unanimously at our April 20th meeting! We already have enough problems with alcohol addiction and doctor prescribed pain killers. Why would we want to legalize another drug that will lead to even more substance abuse? We must vote no on the legalization of marijuana in our state. Here’s why…

Resolution Against Legalizing Marijuana in the State of Arizona

WHEREAS, Since the citizens of Colorado were the first to vote to legalize marijuana in 2012, “teen use [of marijuana] has risen dramatically and is now 74 percent higher than the national average;” and

WHEREAS, Since legalization of marijuana in 2012, “Colorado has seen an increase in marijuana-related traffic fatalities, hospitalization and emergency visits, as well as marijuana-related calls to poison control centers;” and

WHEREAS, “Today’s marijuana is a harmful, psychoactive, addictive substance that is much more potent than ever before – at least five times more powerful than the marijuana of the 1970s;” and

WHEREAS, “The American College of Pediatricians reported grave risks for youth: ‘Marijuana is addicting and has adverse effects upon the adolescent brain, is a risk for both cardio-respiratory disease and testicular cancer, and is associated with both psychiatric illness and negative social outcomes;’” and

WHEREAS, “The U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado reported that illicit or black market drug activity in Colorado has not subsided since legalization and in fact, has increased;” and

WHEREAS, “The initiative permits possession of one ounce of marijuana (60 marijuana joints) and an additional six marijuana plants per household (one plant can produce a rough average of 300 joints), one home could easily produce 1,800 joints under the proposed law;” and

WHEREAS, “We know the costs associated with drop-outs, suspensions, and expulsions are exceedingly high, more than $400,000 per high school student in Arizona, and that marijuana use increases the risk of dropping out and lowers educational outcomes for youth”; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Palo Verde Republican Women strongly urge all Arizonans to vote NO to legalizing marijuana when voting in the general election to be held on November 8, 2016.

Sources:

Information against legalizing marijuana not ‘questionable,’ Seth Leibsohn, chair; and Shelia Polk, vice-chair; Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy, http://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/letters/2016/02/13/legalize-marijuana-arizona/80288750/, Retrieved March 13, 2016.

Legalize marijuana? No, there’s too much guesswork, Seth Liebsohn, http://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/2015/08/10/legalize-marijuana-guesswork-con-leibsohn/31428865/ Retrieved March 13, 2016