{"id":540,"date":"2020-08-13T14:02:06","date_gmt":"2020-08-13T14:02:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.klsecurity.com\/blog\/?p=540"},"modified":"2020-08-13T14:33:49","modified_gmt":"2020-08-13T14:33:49","slug":"arizona-one-step-closer-to-recreational-marijuana-market","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.klsecurity.com\/blog\/arizona-one-step-closer-to-recreational-marijuana-market\/","title":{"rendered":"Arizona One Step Closer to Recreational Marijuana Market"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Shelley Swearingen | August 11, 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier this year, Arizonans banned together in an attempt legalize marijuana. Marijuana is currently legal for medicinal use in the state, but residents would like to see access made available for all adults. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The issue was set to be voted on within the November ballot. A petition was submitted earlier this year by constituents; the initiative required 237,645 signatures and Smart and Safe Arizona (the group spearheading the initiative) acquired 420,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opposition to this proposal was met by Arizonans for Health and Public Safety, a group backed by the Center for Arizona Policy (conservative group that supports \u2018right-wing\u2019 legislation). It\u2019s safe to assume this group is also anti-cannabis legislation of any kind, but attacked the proposal on the basis that it doesn\u2019t adequately address cannabis sales tax increases, driving under the influence, or marijuana potency. It also claimed the initiative is \u2018confusing and deceptive\u2019.  Based on these theories, the group filed a lawsuit challenging the pro-cannabis initiative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And late last week, this suit was rejected. A Superior Court Judge ruled the provisions had be addressed sufficiently and found the initiative was not lacking. The judge found their claims to be unfounded. This was a huge win to the voters of Arizona. For now, the issue of legalizing marijuana for all adult Arizonans will be resolved in November by voters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The recreational market is proposed to favor existing medical marijuana operators and also designate 26 new licenses specifically for social equity applicants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Using data from the US Census Bureau and assuming the Arizona market would resemble the Illinois market, we can figure that Arizona might have had $170,322,000 in sales (so far) in 2020. That would have brought in over $27,000,000 in tax dollars for the state.*<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Here at KL Security, we observe and implement a holistic approach to cannabis facility compliance and safety. We assist dispensaries, pharmacies, secure transporters, craft growers, large scale growers, and testing facilities in achieving revenue goals through protecting assets. We assist with security planning and SOPs for security protocols that prevent diversion of cash and cannabis products at all steps within a marijuana business\u2019s lifetime: from licensing to successful operation to inspections. If you need assistance with the security portion of an application, want to learn how to make your operation safer, or are concerned about compliance \u2013 contact the consultants at KL Security at 866-867-0306 or at contact@klsecurity.com<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Information has been gathered from sources deemed reliable but not guaranteed and is subject to change without notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


*9,900,000 estimated adults in Illinois and $300,000,000 in sales (YTD Jan-Aug 2020) equated to roughly $30.3 spent per adult resident.5,677,400 estimated adults in Arizona = $170,322,000<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Resources: <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Arizona lawsuit seeks to bar recreational cannabis legalization<\/a><\/blockquote>