His bill would give voters a do-over in 2014
A leading Arizona legislator says he thinks voters now know they made a mistake in approving the state's medical marijuana law in 2010.
Rep. John Kavanagh (R-Fountain Hills) has opposed legalized medical marijuana from the start, and was disappointed when voters approved it by a narrow 4300-vote margin. However, since the legislature is prohibited under the state constitution from repealing or changing voter-approved laws, the medical marijuana law has been implemented.
Kavanagh tells KFYI News that before the election, proponents said it was mainly to help ease the symptoms of conditions such as cancer, glaucoma, and Crohn's Disease. But he says at least 90% of the medical marijuana cards issued by the state by virtue of a doctor's recommendation have been for non-specific "back pain" and that "most of those (card holders) are young males."
He adds that in light of a new study that shows 11% – one in nine – of high schoolers who smoke marijuana admit that they now get their weed from medical marijuana card holders, "that was the last straw."
Kavanagh says now that the truth has come out, and it's apparent that the medical marijuana law is helping mostly recreational marijuana users who now have a legal way to get the drug, "it seems reasonable to let the voters re-evaluate their decision."
He has introduced a bill that would put a repeal of the medical marijuana law on the statewide ballot in November of 2014. In order to qualify for the ballot, the measure would need approval of both houses of the legislature but would not need the governor's signature.
