Pubdate: Thu, 17 Jul 2014
Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ)
Copyright: 2014 The Arizona Republic
Contact: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/sendaletter.html
Website: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24
Author: Linda Valdez

LEGALIZE POT, TAX IT TO HELP SCHOOLS

Legalizing marijuana in Arizona is the solution to school funding 
problems that aren't likely to go away anytime soon.

A Superior Court judge says the state owes K-12 schools $317 million 
- -- and the tab could go higher because GOP lawmakers did not follow a 
voter mandate to cover the costs of inflation.

Colorado has the solution.

The tax revenues for legalized pot in that state are expected to be 
nearly $188 million this fiscal year, according to Colorado Gov. John 
Hickenlooper's office.

Arizona, which has 6.5 million residents to Colorado's 5.1 million, 
could expect to raise even more.

This could help replace what lawmakers shorted schools, and assure 
future funding increases. Especially if marijuana revenues went to 
schools with a stipulation that they supplement, not supplant, what 
schools get from the general fund.

The Arizona County Attorney & Sheriff's Association opposes 
legalizing marijuana, but maybe they should reconsider.

Legalizing marijuana also saves on prosecution and incarceration costs.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom