To view your current elected officials, click here.
Arizona Primary Election: Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Race for U.S. Senate
Ruben Gallego
(D)
LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE
DECRIMINALIZE
MEDICAL USE
Longest AZ champion on the issue, both at the state and federal levels. As a state legislator, Gallego was the first to introduce legislation for full adult use in AZ.
Gallego supports full legalization and regulation
Race for U.S. House District 1
Race for U.S. House District 2
Race for U.S. House District 3
Raquel Terán
(D)
A Democratic party leader, Teran’s strong progressive record and campaign material do not appear to address cannabis reform directly.
Race for U.S. House District 4
Greg Stanton
(D)
LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE
DECRIMINALIZE
MEDICAL USE
Dave Giles
(R)
In previous campaigns, Giles has called for a crackdown on cannabis rights.
Race for U.S. House District 5
Race for U.S. House District 6
Kirsten Engel
(D)
LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE
DECRIMINALIZE
MEDICAL USE
Another urban progressive Engel has been an ally to Powers-Hannley on multiple bills including cannabis reform.
Race for U.S. House District 7
Raul Grijalva
(D)
LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE
DECRIMINALIZE
MEDICAL USE
Race for U.S. House District 8
Ben Toma
(R)
MEDICAL USE
Another mid-session replacement, Toma was attentive in meetings, but did not commit to reform positions. One of the few GOP candidates to reply to our survey, Toma writes: “VERY UNfamiliar with cannabis personally INDIFFERENT to federal government current policy INDIFFERENT to Arizona’s MMJ program WILL advocate for reducing AZ criminal penalties if elected Slightly OPPOSES state and federal legalization/decriminalization.”
Anthony Kern
(R)
NO MEDICAL USE
During HR1820 (the testing bill) Kern used his speeches to belittle and insult cannabis medical patients. His votes on the bill aside, Kern needs educating.
Race for U.S. House District 9
Paul Gosar
(R)
MANDATORY MINIMUMS
JAIL TIME FOR POSSESSION
NO MEDICAL USE
Despite repeated meetings and a medical degree as a dentist, Gosar has consistently stayed on wrong side of issue, even for vets, Proposed some draconian anti-cannabis bills over the years.
Race for State Senate District 1
Mark Finchem
(R)
NO MEDICAL USE
Worth noting, late in the past session, literally about 9PM during the final voting debate, which literally started at 10AM the previous day, Finchem, broke character and spoke in favor of a reform bill. Insiders say that’s not likely to happen twice, but we can hope. Finchem is among the small crowd of incumbents angling to become Speaker of the House if re-elected. Bumps him up to a C
Race for State Senate District 2
Race for State Senate District 3
John Kavanagh
(R)
MANDATORY MINIMUMS
JAIL TIME FOR POSSESSION
NO MEDICAL USE
A former Manhattan cop, this guy is AZ's most colorful and most dogged prohibitionist. Kavanagh has already been a scourge in both houses. Not as funny as he thinks he is, either.
Race for State Senate District 4
Race for State Senate District 5
Lela Alston
(D)
LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE
DECRIMINALIZE
MEDICAL USE
Longtime supporter, as both a state senator and state representative Alston has signed on key bills, though not taken a leadership role on this issue.
Race for State Senate District 6
Race for State Senate District 7
David Cook
(R)
DECRIMINALIZE
Office mate of leading GOP reformer Kevin Payne, Cook supported the hemp and testing bill.
Wendy Rogers
(R)
MEDICAL USE
On Vote Smart’s Political Courage 2018 Survey Rogers is on record as opposing cannabis reforms, but considers it a state’s rights issue, so doesn’t feel she has to take a position on the issue as a congressional candidate. Wrong.
Race for State Senate District 8
Race for State Senate District 9
Race for State Senate District 10
David Farnsworth
(R)
NO MEDICAL USE
Based on the track record of LD16 legislators like Rep. Kelly Townsend and Senator Farnsworth, he may be right. Another prohibitionist leader, Farnsworth held several meetings on reform, but voted against it. Filed 3 anti-cannabis bills last session.
Race for State Senate District 11
Catherine Miranda
(D)
LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE
DECRIMINALIZE
MEDICAL USE
Despite leadership position hasn't advanced cause.
Race for State Senate District 12
Mitzi Epstein
(D)
DECRIMINALIZE
MEDICAL USE
While Epstein has spoken in favor of cannabis reform bills, she is less active than several of her allies in the House.
Race for State Senate District 13
Race for State Senate District 14
Elizabeth Brown
(D)
Again we get to thank LD9 Representative Pam Powers-Hannley for getting the candidates on record. In her August 6th post on Blog for Arizona, Powers-Hannley notes Brown wants to decriminalize cannabis as a way to address the private prison industry problem.
Warren Petersen
(R)
MEDICAL USE
Though Petersen has claimed to support cannabis reform, his record hasn’t shown it. When he talks about the issue in his caucus he's still speaking reefer madness.
Race for State Senate District 15
Race for State Senate District 16
T.J. Shope
(R)
MEDICAL USE
For years Shope has quietly supported cannabis reforms and shown some leadership on a couple of bills.
Race for State Senate District 17
Vince Leach
(R)
The most active prohibitionist over the last few years. Filed 6 anti-cannabis bills last session.
Race for State Senate District 18
Race for State Senate District 19
Bob Karp
(D)
Easily the longest early response thus far came from Karp after a round of round 2 phone tag: “I think you’re looking for a simple answer to a complex question. The answer you’re looking for is that I support complete decriminalization of cannabis. Sorry I’m not there yet there on this for many reasons:
1. Without federal action this leads to a variety of state laws that may or may not create more problems than they solve. My concern is that there even in states such as California and Colorado, legitimate sellers and growers still do not have proper access to the banking system. Too much cash flowing through the industry allows for graft and corruption.
2. If one of the reasons for decriminalization is to get recreational users out of the black market, there is still a need to have states get real about tax policy. From what I have read, high state taxes have made licensed sellers non-competitive with the black market. So there is still an issue about how states tax and regulate.
3. I am in favor of medical marijuana use and, we of course have a problem here in Arizona regarding the sale of “edibles” (I’m not sure this is the right term) based on a recent course decision. This points out the problem of using the initiative process to write complicated law. This should be done by the legislature with hearings, etc.
4. I’m in a wait and see position on complete decriminalization in Arizona based on the above. Also I want to get another year or so of results from Colorado and particularly California on how this works. If we can get the federal government to decriminalize then I would take a serious look at getting Arizona law updated.
As a Dem in a lopsided red district, I want to empathize with the desire to sound as reasonable and reasoned as possible. And the former English teacher in me makes me want to applaud his effort and give him an … , well you know, but we’re grading folks on cannabis positions here, not essay structure and cogence of thought, so, B
David Gowan
(R)
A returning state legislator who has opposed the issue in the past.
Race for State Senate District 20
Race for State Senate District 21
Rosanna Gabaldón
(D)
LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE
DECRIMINALIZE
MEDICAL USE
Another longtime supporter, Rep Gabaldon has seen personal medical miracles for her family and friends. Gabaldon writes: “Cannabis use is an issue that needs to be addressed in our state, and I would support legalizing recreational use. Arizona suffers from high incarceration rates, where non-violent offenders are jailed alongside violent offenders, which can lead to high recidivism rates. This places a burden on our law enforcement and a financial burden on our state.”
Race for State Senate District 22
Race for State Senate District 23
Race for State Senate District 24
Race for State Senate District 25
Tim Dunn
(R)
DECRIMINALIZE
New to legislature, no clear track record so far.
Race for State Senate District 26
Race for State Senate District 27
Kevin Payne
(R)
LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE
DECRIMINALIZE
MEDICAL USE
The real deal, Payne was the driving force in the House behind the testing bill HR1820 and plans an aggressive reform agenda for the 2019 legislative session.
Race for State Senate District 28
Race for State Senate District 29
Race for State Senate District 30
J'aime Morgaine
(D)
A dedicated liberal, Morgaine successfully challenged US Rep. Paul Gosar for blocking her on Twitter. Ms. Morgaine weighed in for the general election survey, “As a veteran living with service-connected PTSD, I have researched medical marijuana extensively, and strongly oppose the federal government's position that cannabis has no redeeming medical value. My personal diagnosis qualifies for medicinal use of cannabis, yet the VA does not prescribe, provide, or pay for the medical marijuana that could potentially be a much more effective treatment (and is certainly less toxic) than the "approved" drugs they WILL prescribe and provide. I fully support Arizona's medical marijuana program, and if elected, will work to reduce the criminal penalties Arizonans currently face for possessing cannabis. I absolutely favor legalizing cannabis for adults at the federal and state levels. Beyond that, I will work to include medical marijuana in the prescription formularies that determine insurance-provided "pharmaceuticals." Senator Borrelli is anything but a reformer. He doesn't support legalization of cannabis. And, he can't even talk about the hemp legalization bill without qualifying his participation by saying (repeatedly), "It's rope, not dope." I am the only LD5 Senate candidate who will actually fight for the right of Arizonans to use cannabis without fear of governmental reprisal and will do so publicly and proudly.”
Race for State House District 1
Race for State House District 2
Race for State House District 3
Race for State House District 4
Kelli Butler
(D)
LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE
DECRIMINALIZE
MEDICAL USE
A former party leader, Butler is a powerhouse in the House and a supporter on reform.
Race for State House District 5
Race for State House District 6
Jamescita Peshlakai
(D)
MEDICAL USE
Signed on several bills over the years, but no leadership on issue.
Race for State House District 7
Walt Blackman
(R)
After repeated attempts to give Blackman a chance to respond, he sent the brief note, “I'm not interested.” Duly noted.
Race for State House District 8
Juan Mendez
(D)
LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE
DECRIMINALIZE
MEDICAL USE
A leader in AZ legislative cannabis reform, Mendez has filed and backed bills for years on reform.
Race for State House District 9
Race for State House District 10
Race for State House District 11
Race for State House District 12
Race for State House District 13
Race for State House District 14
Race for State House District 15
Race for State House District 16
Race for State House District 17
Race for State House District 18
Race for State House District 19
Race for State House District 20
Race for State House District 21
Race for State House District 22
Lupe Contreras
(D)
While never a leader on the issue, Contreras has provided steady support and signed onto reform bills for the past several years.
Race for State House District 23
Race for State House District 24
Race for State House District 26
Race for State House District 27
Tony Rivero
(R)
DECRIMINALIZE
MEDICAL USE
A bit more supportive than most in his caucus, especially regarding defelonization, but still shy on leadership.
Race for State House District 28
David Livingston
(R)
DECRIMINALIZE
Formerly resistant, has lightened position somewhat, assisted the testing bill this year.
Race for State House District 29
Race for State House District 30
Leo Biasiucci
(R)
A former Green Party candidate, Biasiucci had claimed to support cannabis reform measures in 2016. However, his dramatic party shift and current billing as a “Trump Conservative,” bring all his positions into question.
Governor
Katie Hobbs
(D)
DECRIMINALIZE
MEDICAL USE
Despite long reputation for reforming agenda, refuses to answer anything on marijuana.
U.S. Senate
Mark Kelly
(D)
LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE
DECRIMINALIZE
MEDICAL USE
U.S. Senate
Kyrsten Sinema
(I)
DECRIMINALIZE
MEDICAL USE
While avoiding the topic in general, Sinema has issued statements calling for the federal government to allow state programs to operate without interference and for increased access for veterans.
U.S. House District 3
Ruben Gallego
(D)
LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE
DECRIMINALIZE
MEDICAL USE
Longest AZ champion on the issue, both at the state and federal levels. As a state legislator, Gallego was the first to introduce legislation for full adult use in AZ.
Gallego supports full legalization and regulation
U.S. House District 4
Greg Stanton
(D)
LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE
DECRIMINALIZE
MEDICAL USE
U.S. House District 7
Raul Grijalva
(D)
LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE
DECRIMINALIZE
MEDICAL USE
U.S. House District 8
Debbie Lesko
(R)
NO MEDICAL USE
Outspoken against legalization as late as 2018, continues to vote against progressive legislation reform in 2019.
U.S. House District 9
Paul Gosar
(R)
MANDATORY MINIMUMS
JAIL TIME FOR POSSESSION
NO MEDICAL USE
Despite repeated meetings and a medical degree as a dentist, Gosar has consistently stayed on wrong side of issue, even for vets, Proposed some draconian anti-cannabis bills over the years.
State Senate District 3
John Kavanagh
(R)
MANDATORY MINIMUMS
JAIL TIME FOR POSSESSION
NO MEDICAL USE
A former Manhattan cop, this guy is AZ's most colorful and most dogged prohibitionist. Kavanagh has already been a scourge in both houses. Not as funny as he thinks he is, either.
State Senate District 5
Lela Alston
(D)
LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE
DECRIMINALIZE
MEDICAL USE
Longtime supporter, as both a state senator and state representative Alston has signed on key bills, though not taken a leadership role on this issue.
State Senate District 7
Wendy Rogers
(R)
MEDICAL USE
On Vote Smart’s Political Courage 2018 Survey Rogers is on record as opposing cannabis reforms, but considers it a state’s rights issue, so doesn’t feel she has to take a position on the issue as a congressional candidate. Wrong.
State Senate District 8
Juan Mendez
(D)
LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE
DECRIMINALIZE
MEDICAL USE
A leader in AZ legislative cannabis reform, Mendez has filed and backed bills for years on reform.
State Senate District 10
David Farnsworth
(R)
NO MEDICAL USE
Based on the track record of LD16 legislators like Rep. Kelly Townsend and Senator Farnsworth, he may be right. Another prohibitionist leader, Farnsworth held several meetings on reform, but voted against it. Filed 3 anti-cannabis bills last session.
State Senate District 11
Catherine Miranda
(D)
LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE
DECRIMINALIZE
MEDICAL USE
Despite leadership position hasn't advanced cause.
State Senate District 12
Mitzi Epstein
(D)
DECRIMINALIZE
MEDICAL USE
While Epstein has spoken in favor of cannabis reform bills, she is less active than several of her allies in the House.
State Senate District 14
Warren Petersen
(R)
MEDICAL USE
Though Petersen has claimed to support cannabis reform, his record hasn’t shown it. When he talks about the issue in his caucus he's still speaking reefer madness.
State Senate District 16
T.J. Shope
(R)
MEDICAL USE
For years Shope has quietly supported cannabis reforms and shown some leadership on a couple of bills.
State Senate District 19
David Gowan
(R)
A returning state legislator who has opposed the issue in the past.
State Senate District 21
Rosanna Gabaldón
(D)
LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE
DECRIMINALIZE
MEDICAL USE
Another longtime supporter, Rep Gabaldon has seen personal medical miracles for her family and friends. Gabaldon writes: “Cannabis use is an issue that needs to be addressed in our state, and I would support legalizing recreational use. Arizona suffers from high incarceration rates, where non-violent offenders are jailed alongside violent offenders, which can lead to high recidivism rates. This places a burden on our law enforcement and a financial burden on our state.”
State Senate District 25
Sine Kerr
(R)
A midterm replacement, Kerr kept under the radar, but did vote for SB1420, the testing bill
State Senate District 27
Anthony Kern
(R)
NO MEDICAL USE
During HR1820 (the testing bill) Kern used his speeches to belittle and insult cannabis medical patients. His votes on the bill aside, Kern needs educating.
State Senate District 30
Sonny Borrelli
(R)
DECRIMINALIZE
MEDICAL USE
Despite a strong anti-legalization stance, Borrelli has emerged as a leading GOP reformer on medical cannabis issues, pushing through the 2018 hemp bill and working over a year on an unsuccessful bill that would have established testing standards for the industry.
State House District 5
Jennifer Longdon
(D)
Usually, only incumbents can truly be judged on their past work, but Longdon actually worked in the industry, making her one of the strongest cannabis candidates on record this election. See for yourself: “I was involved in the MMJ movement in its early days in Arizona as a caregiver. I briefly worked for the first collective in the state. I also helped write several dispensary applications for the first lottery and my pro-MMJ article appeared in the Phoenix New Times. Further, I support legalization of cannabis for recreational use. I would like to see cannabis treated and taxed like alcohol.”
State House District 6
Jamescita Peshlakai
(D)
MEDICAL USE
Signed on several bills over the years, but no leadership on issue.
State House District 7
David Cook
(R)
DECRIMINALIZE
Office mate of leading GOP reformer Kevin Payne, Cook supported the hemp and testing bill.
State House District 13
Jennifer Pawlik
(D)
Like Steve Weichert, a returning candidate for LD17 Senate, Pawlik has a track record of challenging the GOP incumbents on a variety of issues … but avoiding this one.
State House District 14
Travis Grantham
(R)
DECRIMINALIZE
An urban moderate conservative, Grantham has grown to to a supporter on defelonization, hemp and testing.
State House District 22
Lupe Contreras
(D)
While never a leader on the issue, Contreras has provided steady support and signed onto reform bills for the past several years.
State House District 25
Tim Dunn
(R)
DECRIMINALIZE
New to legislature, no clear track record so far.
State House District 27
Kevin Payne
(R)
LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE
DECRIMINALIZE
MEDICAL USE
The real deal, Payne was the driving force in the House behind the testing bill HR1820 and plans an aggressive reform agenda for the 2019 legislative session.
Ben Toma
(R)
MEDICAL USE
Another mid-session replacement, Toma was attentive in meetings, but did not commit to reform positions. One of the few GOP candidates to reply to our survey, Toma writes: “VERY UNfamiliar with cannabis personally INDIFFERENT to federal government current policy INDIFFERENT to Arizona’s MMJ program WILL advocate for reducing AZ criminal penalties if elected Slightly OPPOSES state and federal legalization/decriminalization.”
State House District 28
David Livingston
(R)
DECRIMINALIZE
Formerly resistant, has lightened position somewhat, assisted the testing bill this year.
State House District 30
Leo Biasiucci
(R)
A former Green Party candidate, Biasiucci had claimed to support cannabis reform measures in 2016. However, his dramatic party shift and current billing as a “Trump Conservative,” bring all his positions into question.