Will Arizona be next to legalize marijuana?

USA Today says state among 15 that will act next on recreational pot

USA Today ran an interesting article this week, “Pot initiatives: Predicting the next 15 states to legalize marijuana.” On the list? Arizona. The article notes that currently, 64 percent of Americans support legalizing the drug for recreational use, citing a 2017 Gallup Poll, with eight states (Alaska, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Washington) as well as Washington, D.C., having already done so.

In 2016, Arizona’s measure calling for legalization of recreational marijuana failed. The vote was a close one, failing by a 52.2 percent to 47.8 percent margin, USA Today reports.

The initiative would have allowed adults to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana and grow and harvest up to six plants, USA Today reports.

With neighboring California and Nevada both legalizing recreational marijuana, it will not be a challenge for Arizona residents to obtain recreational marijuana on their own, although the minute one brings it into Arizona, it becomes illegal again. It is only legal to possess marijuana while in states that have legalized it.

Supporters note legalization can boost the economy, creating jobs in a new market, while bringing in tax revenue that could be dedicated to road repairs, schools or other categories of need.

Legalization would also free up police agencies to be able to focus on other crimes outside of marijuana possession.

Opponents cite concerns over the potentially addictive nature of marijuana, and concerns about marijuana getting into the hands of children. There are also concerns about driving or working while under the influence, and how to properly detect and test for such situations.

The question of whether or not to legalize recreational marijuana doesn’t appear to be going away any time soon.

And as the issue gains support and momentum on a national level, the debate likely will continue until the federal government takes some sort of action.

In the meantime, residents of Arizona must weigh whether or not the pros outweigh the cons.

There’s no question that Yuma County could benefit from a new revenue stream. Our roads are in need of funds and repairs, and our schools could use some TLC as well.

But is this the right move for Yuma, and for Arizona as a whole? If so, how do you think Yuma County should use the new revenue stream ?

Let us know. Share your thoughts online at www. YumaSun.com, or send us a Letter to the Editor at letters@yumasun.com.

Okay, so some women have come forward to claim that Judge Roy Moore, GOP candidate for the U.S. Senate from the state of Alabama, inappropriately touched them several years ago. Judge Moore denies the allegations. I’m not saying the judge did or didn’t do what is alleged. Anytime accusations of sexual misconduct are made, the allegations must and should be taken very seriously and a thorough investigation must be completed and appropriate actions must be taken.

Notice I said an investigation must and action must be taken. I did not say may or can or should or might ... I said must. If allegations are made, let’s investigate, let’s hold hearings and let’s hold any and all parties accused and found guilty accountable for their actions. Let’s prosecute the filthy swine to the fullest. I’m sure this is what leftleaning liberals, the mainstream media and women’s groups across the nation are wanting to see.

Here comes a real rare moment when I happen to agree with the left, the media and the women groups. I too want to take accusations of sexual misconduct serious. I too want an investigation. The difference between the liberal, the media and the women’s rights groups and me? I wanted the very same for Ted Kennedy when he drove his car off a bridge resulting in the death of a young girl. I want the same for Bill Clinton who had his way with women in Arkansas and worse yet, he did in fact have sexual relations with that woman Ms. Lewinsky.

It’s never too late to do the right thing.

Seems like the sexual harassment accusations have gotten so far out of hand that we have trouble separating fact from fiction. We can all agree that no one should be subjected to unwanted sexual advances, but one thing that seems to have been overlooked is how these advances were dealt with by the “victims.” The work environment has ALWAYS experienced remarks that were sometimes playful, sometimes exploratory (if you get my drift), sometimes in poor taste and sometimes just plain rude, but how many times did unwanted advances continue simply because the offended person didn’t make it perfectly clear (for a variety of reasons) that they wanted that sort of behavior to stop?

Many will tell you that both sexes engaged in suggestive remarks/ behavior, exchanged in a playful or humorous manner. They may also tell you that if one insulted another, even unintentionally, an apology was rendered, and those apologies were accepted, and everyone moved on. That’s the way it USED to be. What has changed?

These days accusations of sexual harassment have become a nefarious tool, used to discredit political opponents, oft times with less than truthful complaints. Some of those complaints are so feeble as to be laughable, not unlike the growing political correctness phenomenon. Perhaps if severe penalties for those who accuse without proof would be enacted, it might put an end to such disingenuous conduct. An attempt to destroy someone’s career, or life for that matter, without evidence of wrongdoing, is reprehensible and should not go unpunished.

What I do know is that, for me, I’m becoming reluctant to even smile at, or say hello to someone I don’t know very well. I’ll wager the work environment has become a lot more tense than it used to be. That’s unfortunate.