Arizona to vote on marijuana legalization in November

Arizona voters are poised to decide whether to legalize marijuana for recreational use.

Secretary of State Michele Reagan notified Gov. Doug Ducey Thursday that the Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act has enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot.

The number of valid signatures collected by the pro-campaign was an estimated 177,258. The campaign needed at least 150,642, according to the secretary of state.

The initiative will appear on the ballot as Proposition 205.

But the campaign faces another hurdle: Marijuana-legalization foes are asking a Maricopa County Superior Court judge to toss the initiative from the ballot. In a lawsuit, opponents argue marijuana-legalization backers are deceiving voters in how they are pitching the measure. The lawsuit, brought by 13 individuals and groups, is scheduled for hearings on Friday.

Why businesses oppose marijuana legalization in Arizona

Proposition 205 asks Arizona voters to legalize cannabis for recreational use and establish licensed shops where sales of the drug would be taxed, similar to the system established in Colorado. Among other things, the Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act would allow adults 21 and older to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana and grow up to six plants in their homes.

Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy, which brought the lawsuit against the measure, have said potential revenues from legalization do not outweigh the potential costs of "bad public policy," which would affect public health, public safety, the workplace and education.

At a news conference Thursday, marijuana-legalization supporters kicked off the "Yes on 205" campaign with remarks from a physician, a teacher and a former U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration official. All said it would be safer to regulate marijuana than keep it illegal for recreational use.

Up in smoke? Anti-marijuana campaign wants legalization measure tossed

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