Pubdate: Thu, 02 Apr 2015
Source: Tucson Weekly (AZ)
Copyright: 2015 Tucson Weekly
Contact:  http://www.tucsonweekly.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/462
Author: Julian Lopez, Cronkite News

RESPONSIBLE LEGALIZATION?

Second Group Files Paperwork to Seek 2016 Vote on Legalizing Pot

A second group aiming to put marijuana legalization on the 2016 
ballot filed paperwork Friday with the Secretary of State's Office.

Calling itself Arizonans for Responsible Legalization, the group said 
in a news release it wants to allow adults to purchase small amounts 
of marijuana for private use and tax marijuana sales to help fund education.

The release lists Gina Berman, identified as an emergency room 
physician, as leading the effort. Barrett Marson, a spokesman for the 
group, said Berman is affiliated with a medical marijuana dispensary.

Incorporation records list Gina Berman as secretary of Giving Tree 
Wellness Center, a dispensary with locations in north Phoenix and Mesa.

A statement attributed to Berman said: "Arizonans for Responsible 
Legalization is committed to taxing and regulating the marijuana 
industry while ensuring the greatest benefit to taxpayers and 
boosting education funding. We look forward to an energetic campaign 
focused on the public benefits of responsible marijuana regulations."

A voicemail for Berman left with a phone number listed with the 
Secretary of State's Office wasn't returned by late Friday afternoon.

Marson said Arizonans for RESPONSIBLE LEGALIZATION? would begin 
fundraising and develop proposed ballot language soon.

It's the second group to register an effort to put 
marijuana-legalization on the 2016 ballot. The other, Safer Arizona, 
is coordinating with the Marijuana Policy Project, the group behind 
the 2010 ballot measure that legalized medical marijuana in Arizona.

Carlos Alfaro, Arizona political director for the Marijuana Policy 
Project, said his organization supports "the most effective scenario 
possible" to legalize marijuana here.

"We want to establish a good public policy that replaces the 
underground marijuana market with a system in which marijuana is 
regulated similarly to alcohol," Alfaro said.

Seth Leibsohn, chairman of Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy, a 
group registered with the Secretary of State's Office as opposing 
efforts to legalize marijuana, said the latest effort is another one to oppose.

"Marijuana is dangerous for adults and for youth," Leibsohn said. 
"This drug is dangerous for users who use it in the workplace, around 
children and on the roads."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom