A new bill in the Arizona Legislature would legalize the production, sale, and use of the drug, a move that could allow recreational marijuana sales to begin in the state in the fall of 2019.
State Rep. Jason Villalba (R) is introducing a bill in Arizona’s House that would legalize recreational marijuana by July 1, 2019.
If approved, Arizona could join Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, California, Oregon and New York, according to the Marijuana Policy Project, a pro-legalization group.
Under the bill, marijuana would be available for recreational use in the states of Arizona, Nevada, Oregon or Washington by Jan. 1, 2021, as long as there is no federal restriction on its use.
The bill is being sponsored by Villalbs (R-Maricopa), who said in a statement on Wednesday that he had introduced a measure last month to legalize the cultivation, possession, and distribution of marijuana for medicinal use.
“As we get closer to legalization, Arizona will become the first state in America to have a state-regulated marijuana market,” Villalbas said in the statement.
“Arizona will have the lowest excise tax rate in the country.”
Vallejo said that the bill has “significant support” from state legislators and the state’s marijuana industry, and he hopes to have it ready for the state House floor as soon as next week.
The measure has already been endorsed by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey and his legislative caucus, according a spokesperson for Duceys office.
Duceys spokesman Adam Miller said in an email to The Associated Press that “as we move closer to the legalization of recreational marijuana, we will continue to work with the governor’s office to advance this legislation.”
The legislation would not change the way Arizona has conducted marijuana enforcement, Miller said.
It is expected to be signed into law by Duceyan in the coming weeks.
The Arizona Department of Revenue estimates that marijuana revenues generated by recreational marijuana could exceed $1 billion, with retail sales expected to bring in about $10 million per year.
But there is concern about how the legalization would affect Arizona’s existing law prohibiting the possession of small amounts of marijuana.
It also would require people 21 and older to undergo mandatory drug tests.
