Homeless in Arizona

Like it or not the "War on Drugs" is nothing but a full time jobs program for cops, and a government welfare program for police departments.

In most city governments a nice ballpark figure is that about 40% of their budget goes to the police. And because of that the members city councils usually do what ever the cops tell them to do.

And in this case that means most city councils will vote to allow their cops to continue throwing people in jail for victimless marijuana crimes.

You don't have to be a psychic to predict that the member of the Phoenix City Council will vote to approve whatever laws the Phoenix Police ask them to approve to limit recreational and medical marijuana in Phoenix.

Sadly it ain't about protecting the public from "dangerous marijuana" users, which is a Reefer Madness oxymoron.

It's about $$$ MONEY $$$ and that's means letting the "War on Drugs" continue at full speed, so the local cops can collect lots of over time arresting people for victimless marijuana crimes.

In Phoenix there are about 3,000 cops, and all those cops can swing a Phoenix election, so you can bet the member of the Phoenix City Council will approve whatever the cops tell them to approve.

Source

Phoenix marijuana rules vote happening on pot holiday

Brenna Goth, The Republic | azcentral.com 12:37 p.m. MST April 8, 2016

Medical-marijuana facilities may soon have fewer options of where to open in Phoenix, through zoning changes the city is considering in advance of a possible statewide vote to make recreational use of the drug legal. Wochit

Phoenix leaders are scheduled to consider a proposal to limit where new medical marijuana facilities can locate in the city on April 20.

The date of the City Council meeting — a significant number in marijuana culture — is purely coincidental, Planning and Development Spokeswoman Michelle Thompson said with a laugh. For some, "420" is a slang term related to all things marijuana, with the date used as a celebration.

Proposed zoning changes would add extra restrictions on where medical marijuana dispensaries, cultivation sites and infusion facilities can operate. The focus is limiting their proximity to places of worship, residential areas, day-care centers, homeless shelters and youth community centers.

The city is considering the changes in advance of a possible ballot measure to make recreational use of the drug legal in Arizona. Many existing medical marijuana dispensaries are now also eligible to relocate to Phoenix from elsewhere in the state.

Phoenix's Planning Commission voted Thursday to recommend the changes to the council. Members suggested an amendment to reduce the required distance between cultivation sites in primarily industrial areas, a request of medical marijuana industry leaders.

Industry advocates say the extra restrictions would make it even harder for medical marijuana businesses to find a space to locate. Members of the public can give feedback to the council before the vote.