Smoke a joint and help Arizona’s school kids. The group’s leader says the state has the potential to put close to that amount of money directly into school funds within a year if it decriminalizes and taxes marijuana use.
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That money would go toward schools and help Arizona’s lagging education spending, backers of the proposal contend.
A campaign to legalize and tax marijuana estimated its plan could be worth $40 million in funding for Arizona schools, reported the Arizona Republic. Martin Quezada, who is a state lawmaker and member of the Pendergast Elementary School District Governing Board. The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol proposes taxing marijuana at 15 percent from licensed retail stores selling to adults 21 and older. “Marijuana sales are going to keep taking place regardless of whether this initiative passes or fails”. Total retail marijuana sales in Colorado exceeded $253 million in the first six months of the year, generating roughly $16.6 million for public school construction, according to the Colorado Department of Revenue, MPP says. Of any additional tax revenue collected, 40% would be allocated to the Department of Education for school construction, maintenance, and operating costs, and 40% would be allocated to the Department of Education for full-day kindergarten programs.
Lisa Olson, a teacher from Mesa, also said she backed the measure at a press conference at the State Capitol Wednesday citing the education benefits. The group has to collect more than 150,000 valid signatures to get on the November 2016 ballot. They have already obtained more than 50,000 since they began collection in May. “This marijuana cartel is trying to recruit Arizona’s educators by pledging a share of the future profits from the marijuana industry”, said Arizona Republican Party chairman Robert Graham.
The Arizona Chamber of Commerce, Gov. Doug Ducey and the head of Arizona’s Republican Party oppose legalization.
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Colorado is one of four states that have legalized recreational marijuana despite a federal ban prohibiting it. Many more states have legalized medical marijuana.
