And then there were two.
That’s how many marijuana bills have survived the 2022 legislative session.
One bill would allocate funds from the Smart and Safe Arizona Fund to tribal police and fire departments, university police and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The other, a strike-everything amendment mirroring a failed senate bill, poses major changes to Arizona’s marijuana licensing process.
All marijuana bills introduced in 2022 bring the legislatures’ developing relationship with the cannabis business into focus. But continuing debate on changes to licensing show the legislative moves in Arizona’s marijuana market continue to remain internal and hotly contested.
Bills looking to heighten regulation and decrease sentencing largely failed early in the process, with many failing to grab a committee assignment or see a vote. The bills that did gain traction often saw mixed opinion from those within the broader cannabis industry.
Living legislation
Senate Bill 1324
Prime Sponsor: State Senator Thomas Shope, R-Coolidge
Status: Passed Senate 27-1
SB 1324 would add joint powers authority, tribal police and fire departments, university police departments and DPS to the list of entities receiving a share of the 31.4 percent of the Smart and Safe Arizona Fund. The fund’s money is generated from marijuana excise tax and licensing fees.
The bill saw dissent from members in the House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee. State Representative Melody Hernandez, D-Tempe, voted no, and said she heard opposition from stakeholders regarding a recent amendment by State Representative Kevin Payne, R-Peoria, adding DPS.
House Bill 2050
Prime Sponsor: Representative Justin Wilmeth R-Phoenix
Status: Passed Senate Appropriations 9-1
HB 2050 originally required the Arizona Department of Administration to post a report on the Telecommunication Fund on its website.
But a strike-everything amendment, which passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on March 29, requires the Department of Health Services to allocate nonprofit medical dispensary licenses in counties without a medical dispensary or in areas where they are more than 25 miles apart.
It also allows any recreational license holders to apply for a nonprofit medical certificate, which would essentially allow any dispensary to sell to both medical and recreational customers.
The amendment is a near-mirror image of failed Senate Bill 1402.
The Arizona Dispensaries Association is opposed to the amendment.
Lauren Niehaus, director of government relations at Trulieve and a board member of the ADA, said the association wants license authority left with the Department of Health Services.
“There can be negative policy consequences. There’s nothing to prevent the statute from changing or others from attempting to seek more licenses via statute,” Niehaus said.
Copperstate Farms, a member of the ADA, echoed the sentiment.
“We didn’t feel there was…
Credit:Source link