News » Arizona Proposition 203 Losing By A Slim Margin, Still Too Close To Call





With 100% of precincts now reporting in Arizona, Proposition 203 is losing by a margin 663,277 against to 656,758 – a difference of only 6,519 votes. Absentee ballots still need to be counted, making the defeat of the legislation still too close to call.

As for the uncounted numbers, in Pima County 50,000 Arizonans were split evenly with 25,000 dropping their ballots off at their polling place, or by filling out a provisional ballot. Poll workers estimate that in Maricopa County nearly 100,000 early ballots dropped off at a polling place will need to be counted, plus any additional ballots. With the current tally so close, it’s possible that the measure will still pass if the uncounted votes trend the other way even slightly.

The bill aims to close loopholes and problems with the state’s current medical marijuana legislation. Cannabis may only be used by patients in the state with a prescription from a physician, which is in conflict with federal law. Most states only require a referral or recommendation from a doctor for this reason. The measure was still considered to be quite strict – limiting dispensaries to 124 total in the state, and contained a specific list of ailments for which marijuana could be used as treatment.

Opponents of the proposition included the Arizona Cardinals, and Senator and former presidential candidate John McCain.

[source CNN ]

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