Group trying to legalize cannabis in Arizona continue to gather signatures

PHOENIX  — A pro-cannabis group continues its efforts to legalize marijuana in Arizona. The organizers of a petition drive say their effort is about a third of the way to its goal.

Alex Gentry, the chairman of Safer Arizona Cannabis Legalization Political Action Committee, said the group is focused on decriminalizing cannabis sales in the state.

Gentry said they are making progress in circulating petitions to get the cannabis question on the ballot.

“We’re going to have about 235,000, at least 200,000, signatures to get on the ballot,” Gentry said.

Gentry said many of the names on the petitions will likely be tossed out because of ineligibility. But Gentry said he is optimistic his group of volunteers will get the issue before voters.

Should the cannabis question make it to the ballot, voters would decide if cannabis should be decriminalized and is legal to use, grow and sell in Arizona.

Gentry said his move to legalize cannabis has a definite benefit for education.

“Essentially an unending source of funds going directly into education and we’re really talking about hundreds of millions of dollars,” Gentry said.

According to Gentry, cannabis legalization would create many new businesses as well as thousands of jobs in Arizona.

Gentry said there are specifics that the petition addresses.

“The petition will legalize and decriminalize cannabis in Arizona,” Gentry said. “It would treat cannabis like any other product on the shelf.”

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