On November 3rd, 2020, Arizona Proposition 207 passed by almost 500,000 votes. This proposition legalized adult (21+) recreational cannabis use in the Copper State and permitted those adults to cultivate up to six marijuana plants within a lockable, enclosed area inside the residence outside of the public eye. The two-year anniversary of the passing of Prop 207 is right around the corner and it would seem the “Green Rush” is still going strong. So how has the legalization of recreational cannabis sales affected Arizona?
It must first be said that Arizona is by no means new to cannabis as Proposition 203 passed in 2010. Prop 203 allowed for the use of medical cannabis by Arizona Medical Marijuana card holders. Even earlier in Arizona’s progressive cannabis laws was the 1996 Proposition 200 which voters approved, allowing physicians to recommend schedule 1 drugs (including cannabis) for terminally ill people. Proposition 200 also required probation rather than jail for nonviolent personal drug use. This affects not only the state of Arizona, but all Arizonans affected by adverse marijuana laws.
These various propositions open up opportunities for expungement for those Arizonans with low level marijuana charges. Arizona is a state that has seen its fair share of communities affected by cannabis litigation. Between the years 1992 and 2021, approximately 1,450 Arizonans were federally convicted of simple marijuana possession. This places Arizona just behind California which holds the most federal simple marijuana convictions with just over 1,550 Californians convicted between the North, South, East, and Central districts. With recreational cannabis continuing to destigmatize the federally criminal plant, the Biden Administration is looking to clear those affected by federal marijuana laws, expunging federal simple possession charges. This would clear the criminal records of numerous Arizonans a big part of whom are already part of disenfranchised communities like Native American, Black, and Latino communities. These communities according to a 2019 NSDUH study make up more than half of cannabis users over the age of 18 and in Arizona, Black people are 3 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than white people. The national average rate of arrest is 3.73x. Arizona has seen a reduction in marijuana related arrests since 2018 and if Arizona were to get on board with federal expungement the state could see the records of many people wiped clean of marijuana possession charges.
For people with prior convictions like Thaddius Baker recreational cannabis means a fresh start.
Baker states “I finally feel that the stigma is gone. I caught charged with simple possession in 2017 before recreational cannabis started in Arizona and luckily got off with just probation. I wish I would have had my med card then but now the state treats it just like a beer, as it should be.”
Q: “When Arizona went recreational, how did that make you feel?”
A: “A lot of jobs when I was charged still saw marijuana as a no go and that really made me feel stuck in a lot of ways. Finding a job was easier after Arizona passed recreational marijuana. More doors opened up for me as most companies here aren’t looking for marijuana in your system. I was also happy because I have people close to me who have been locked up for marijuana to get a shot at getting their records clean and moving on with life. Charges like this are something that just seems to follow you wherever and to me it’s no different from alcohol.”
Q: “Have you seen changes in your community since the legalization of recreational cannabis in Arizona?”
A: “I live in Downtown Phoenix and the city has many more problems than just pot but I feel like everyone in the city is happier now. I know I am.”
Arizona is also finding plenty of economic growth as a result of the legalization of recreational cannabis. The Arizona Department of Revenue stated that state combined cannabis sales topped $1.23 billion in 2021 alone. State’s that trailblazed progressive marijuana laws like Colorado only did around $684 million in recreational sales for their first year (2014). Arizona continues to pull big numbers from recreational cannabis sales year after year and currently, the state has raked in a total of $1.36 billion in just recreational sales tax since the start of recreational cannabis sales in January 2021. It's not just good old-fashioned cannabis sales that are bringing money to the Copper State though. There are many sectors in the state wanting to cash in on the cannabis culture. Cannabis has found itself having its own music and food festivals around Arizona. Arizona also holds one of the largest marijuana trade associations (MITA) that throws community networking events that introduce people to the business and opportunities within the industry.
Long time Arizonans like Joyce Johnson of Apache Junction Arizona also has a lot to say about recreational cannabis. She spoke with ADHackney Journalism and answered some questions about recreational cannabis legalization and how its changed over the years.
Q: How would you compare buying marijuana 10-20 years ago versus buying marijuana now?
A: For sure, buying 20 years ago was hard (one of the many reasons I was not a consistent smoker 20 years ago) you never knew what you were getting, chemicals sprayed, parquet, or overall, just very poor quality. Not including the very strange meet ups just to get medicine. The risk was so high many who needed it could not benefit 20 years ago.
Q: How do you feel about recreational cannabis legalization?
A: I think the legalization has helped many people obtain Marijuana that truly need for one reason or another. Cancer patients now don't feel to taboo if you will, over going and purchasing high quality products, from people who truly try to help.
Q: Have you seen recreational cannabis benefit your community?
A: In our community I've seen many donations from dispensaries, including the tax dollars helped repave roads that were basically falling apart in our poor community. We have been able to fund new parks as well. So overall I personally have only seen mostly positive things coming from the legalization of recreational Marijuana.
Below is an interview with two experts in the Cannabis Industry Melissa Valdez from GreenPharms Dispensary and Patrick Johnson from The MINT Cannabis and Co-Founder of Richtaste Apparel.
Brandon Cooper Founder of Rich Taste Apparel, Local Rap Artist, and budtender at The MINT Cannabis wasn’t able to join Patrick Johnson Co-Founder of Rich Taste Apparel during a Zoom interview with ADHackney Journalism but did answer questions sent to him during a text interview.
Q: For those who may not know tell us a little about yourself. Who you are and what you do within the industry and with your business Rich Taste Apparel?
A: Richtaste is a collaboration of Music & Growth of Culture, my vision for Rich Taste Apparel is for people to get a chance to be a part of my dream.
Q: How long have you been involved in the industry and your business?
A: I started the company in 2014, I had a vision for a street urban clothing brand and wanted to make it affordable for everyone.
Q: Do you feel recreational cannabis legalization has helped or affected your business?
A: It definitely helped, only because one of our biggest pops was at a cannabis festival where we were the only street wear there.
Q: What changes have you seen in Arizona since recreational cannabis legalization?
A: Everyone’s eyes have opened to the idea that it’s not a drug, to some it has saved lives.
Recreational Cannabis has seemed to make a big impact on Arizona and Arizonans over the past two years, from the vast amount of tax revenue boosting the state’s economy and the creation of new businesses, Arizona will continue to capitalize on cannabis culture.
Credits:
All Photos Taken By: Ashton D. Hackney