Poll: Arizonans may nix rec cannabis ballot measure

Arizonans would likely reject a ballot initiative legalizing recreational marijuana if a vote were held now, according to a poll issued by a group opposed to legalization.

The finding suggests that legalization proponents have their work cut out for them in the Grand Canyon State.

The telephone survey of 500 likely voters conducted April 11 through April 14 found that 49% of voters would reject legalization while 43% would vote yes, the Arizona Republic reported. Around 8% of likely voters were undecided. The poll had a margin of error of around 4%.

Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy, which opposes legalization, released the poll. The results are the first polling numbers in about a year on the issue.

Although stakeholders in Arizona’s marijuana industry had hoped to unify behind a single legalization ballot measure in November, it looks like the mainstream establishment will have at least one competitor.

While the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, which is supported by the Marijuana Policy Project, would legalize roughly about 150 rec shops in Arizona, newcomer campaign Arizonans for Mindful Regulation is pushing a measure to allow for upwards of 1,500 storefronts.

The question is whether or not the new grassroots campaign will have enough resources to make the ballot, and if not, if it will then contribute to the opposition.