Pubdate: Mon, 4 Oct 2010 Source: Verde Independent (AZ) Copyright: 2010 Western News & Info, Inc Contact: http://verdenews.com/Formlayout.asp?formcall=userform&form=1 Website: http://verdenews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4433 Authors: Paul R. Babeu, President- Arizona Sheriffs Association, Pinal County Sheriff; Steve Waugh, Vice-President- Arizona Sheriffs Association, Yavapai County Sheriff; Kelly C. Clark, Navajo County Sheriff; John R. Armer, Gila County Sheriff; Tom Sheahan, Mohave County Sheriff; Steven N. Tucker, Greenlee County Sheriff; Don Lowery, La Paz County Sheriff, Ralph E. Ogden, Yuma County Sheriff; Tony Estrada, Santa Cruz County Sheriff; Joe Dedman, Apache County Sheriff; Larry A. Dever, Cochise County Sheriff; William B. Pribil, Coconino County Sheriff; Preston J. Allred, Graham County Sheriff; Clarence Dupnik, Pima County Sheriff; Joe Arpaio, Maricopa County Sheriff ARIZONA SHERIFFS OPPOSE PROP. 203 Editor: Arizona's sheriffs, known nationwide for taking strong action to maintain law and order, have come together to take a stand against Prop 203 in Arizona. Prop 203 seeks to legalize marijuana for allegedly medical purposes. Similar propositions have passed in other states with disastrous results. Instead of being a controlled form of medicine, marijuana floods the state that legalizes it and becomes readily available through grow-houses and independent distributors. We urge the voters of Arizona to vote "No" on Prop 203. As law enforcement officers, our mission is to keep our State as safe as possible. Prop 203 would endanger the good people of Arizona by increasing the amount of illegal drugs in our State. We believe Prop 203 will lead to increased crime and vehicle accidents and will drain the resources of law enforcement agencies. Proponents of Prop 203 will claim it is only about medically necessary marijuana, yet contained in the details of the language are the following: . Legalizes medical marijuana for kids (any age) who have written permission from their parents or guardian . You can pilot an airplane, navigate a watercraft and drive an automobile and cannot be charged with DUI if you only have marijuana metabolites in your system and you are a medical marijuana cardholder . Employers in the State of Arizona cannot discriminate against someone who tests positive for marijuana (if they are a medical marijuana cardholder). The employer cannot terminate or discipline the employee even if the employer operates a drug-free workplace. There is no exception for public safety officials . The proposition clearly removes the authority of the police, the prosecutors, the courts, the medical licensing boards and employers from having any authority or oversight of this industry If a cardholder lives more than 25 miles from a marijuana dispensary they are authorized to "grow their own" at their residence. (rural areas of the state will be inundated with people growing their own). Prop 203 is the first step in a well-organized, well-financed campaign to legalize marijuana. Don't allow this out-of-state interest to gain a foothold in Arizona. All of Arizona's Sheriffs are united in urging Arizona voters to vote "No" on Prop 203. Arizona Sheriffs Association Paul R. Babeu, President- Arizona Sheriffs Association, Pinal County Sheriff Steve Waugh, Vice-President- Arizona Sheriffs Association, Yavapai County Sheriff Kelly C. Clark, Navajo County Sheriff John R. Armer, Gila County Sheriff Tom Sheahan, Mohave County Sheriff Steven N. Tucker, Greenlee County Sheriff Don Lowery, La Paz County Sheriff Ralph E. Ogden, Yuma County Sheriff Tony Estrada, Santa Cruz County Sheriff Joe Dedman, Apache County Sheriff Larry A. Dever, Cochise County Sheriff William B. Pribil, Coconino County Sheriff Preston J. Allred, Graham County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik, Pima County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Maricopa County Sheriff - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake