The Peoria Council will consider an ordinance Nov. 10 that will prohibit smoking and possessing recreational marijuana on property occupied, owned, controlled or operated by the city.
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The Peoria City Council will consider an ordinance Nov. 10 that will prohibit smoking and possessing recreational marijuana on property occupied, owned, controlled or operated by the city.
The proposed ordinance also will make it illegal to smoke or consume marijuana or marijuana products in public in the city.
The proposed ordinance is a response to Proposition 207, a statewide ballot measure approved by voters that will legalize recreational marijuana for adults in Arizona.
The proposition will become law once the official election results are canvassed. This means that on Nov. 30, adults 21 and older can possess up to an ounce of marijuana, with no more than five grams in a concentrated form.
The Arizona Department of Health Services will be allowed to accept applications for dispensaries beginning in January, with dispensary licenses issued within 60 days, according to the proposition.
The public may purchase recreational marijuana as early as March with many dispensaries expected to promote sales for April 20, 2021.
The new law will allow cities to enact reasonable regulations, including limitations on recreational marijuana retail establishments, marijuana testing facilities and delivery of recreational marijuana.
It also will allow cities and towns to prohibit the use and possession of recreational marijuana on property that is occupied, owned, controlled or operated by the city.
City officials say Peoria has a legitimate government interest in protecting public health, safety and welfare of its residents by placing restrictions on marijuana use in public.
The city will consider prohibiting smoking and consumption of marijuana or marijuana products in any open space or public place as well as prohibit the same where smoking is already prohibited in the city.
Philip Haldiman is a third generation Arizona native with brief residencies on the east and west coasts.
He has bachelor’s degrees in Theater and Journalism at Arizona State University, and is an award winning journalist with more than 15 years worth of experience in reporting and editing.
Most recently, he took first place for investigative reporting and third place for best sustained coverage or series at the 2023 Arizona Newspapers Association awards.
In his free time, he produces an autobiographical comic book about his time spent in Hollywood and his life as a cult film star.