Arizona (AZ)

[Paradoxic]

Bill Reference: HB2687
Bill Text:: Introduced Version:HTML
Status:
 - Introduced/updated on February 5, 2010
 - Read & Assigned to Judiciary and Rules Committees on 2/10/2010
 - Second Reading on 2/11/2010
Sponsors: *see bill reference page*

Details:
This bill would amend Title 13, Section 34, Arizona Revised Statutes by adding Section 13-3423 which would make "Unlawful selling, dispensing, distributing, furnishing, administering or giving salvia divinorum to persons under 21" a Class 2 Misdemeanor.  This bill applies to Salvia divinorum, salvinorin A, and "divinorin" A.  This bill is essentially a re-introduced version of HB2520, which was introduced and died in the Judiciary Committee during the 2009 legislative session.

Resources:
Yossaria's template letter: RTF format; HTML format

*Please post a reply if you have any additions or updates for this page.
*Please post about any action you are taking in this state.

[Yossaria]

Do you have any advice on how to search for anti-salvia legislation?  I would be interested in becoming a watchdog for Arizona, but I'm not familiar with how to look and search for this sort of thing.

[JustAnotherRegularGuy]

Each state usually has a website and once you find that you can usually search through it for any pending or passed bills. You can also call your local legislators and ask for information on any bills that are Salvia divinorum related. If you need any help just ask, I've done quite a bit with the Michigan info.

JARG

[Marcion]

Do you have any advice on how to search for anti-salvia legislation?  I would be interested in becoming a watchdog for Arizona, but I'm not familiar with how to look and search for this sort of thing.

You can search for Arizona legislation here
http://www.azleg.gov/Bills.asp
and the Arizona Republic would likely cover any such legislation, so you can also search their site
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/

Of course you can get news alerts from Yahoo or Google for whenever they have any news stories with any keywords you choose ("salvia" for all salvia news stories, or "salvia arizona" for any news stories which mention both salvia and arizona).

[Sasquatch]

You can also call your local legislators and ask for information on any bills that are Salvia divinorum related. If you need any help just ask, I've done quite a bit with the Michigan info.

I would not try that tactic with someone that isn’t known to be friendly to our side. They may learn about it for the first time, hear that a lot of other states are banning it, and jump on the band wagon.

[Paradoxic]

I appreciate you keeping an eye on Arizona, Yossaria. Please notify me immediately if there is new legislation proposed in AZ or any other states. I want to have information here as accurate as possible so we can rally support early on.

[Yossaria]

So a bill was introduced mid-February in Arizona seeking to ban sales to persons under 21 years of age (see update above).  However, according to a report by KPHO Phoenix, the chair of the House Judiciary Committee Adam Driggs is refusing to hear the bill.

Please, everybody, contact these sponsors and inform them why salvia should not be banned.  Although word has it this bill will die in office, we still need to take action to ensure this and prevent such a bill from arising again.  Please contact your representatives, the sponsors of this bill, and Adam Driggs.

Does anybody have any contact lists/persons that could be of assistance?  I'd like to take as much action as possible as soon as possible.

[Marcion]

As others have pointed out elsewhere, it's much better to prohibit salvia sales to minors, rather than ban it totally.  I think the California model for saliva is quite reasonable.  Having no salvia law at all gives a much bigger opening for the anti-salvia forces to use scare tactics (protect our kids!) and then they might make it totally illegal.  So I think a bill like this should be supported by the salvia community.

[Yossaria]

Perhaps, but 21 years?  18 I think is a better choice. At the very least, I believe, with a bill in the works I think we should at least properly educate the legislators.  I'm also reluctant to support this bill out of fears for what it would do to possible research.  Within many universities, many undergraduates participate in research project, and the more people that can contribute time and effort to such projects, the better.

Perhaps fine-tuning the bill may be a good option.  I really don't like how broad these bills are, but I suppose that may be a better strategy for getting them passed.

[gat0r]

I'm not opposed to limiting salvia usage to responsible adults, and I'm not sure I disagree with 21, although I can see the validity of arguments for 18 instead of 21.  I'm glad that the legislation attempt is limiting and not outright prohibition. 

[Paradoxic]

Yeah, thats nice that it only restricts sale to 21 and up.

I think it is still worthwhile to voice our support for this kind of legislation but to to also include how we adamantly oppose an outright ban. I live in AZ so I think I will write up a good letter template for this state. I will also try to get some of the scientists I was working on Salvia with to write as well.

[Yossaria]

Likewise - I'll write up a good template letter for Arizona.  I think it'll be useful to have around to use in lobbying against bills in other states as well.

Considering that this bill may not be heard at all, I'll push for a ban for minors - not under 21.  I do appreciate that the bill is not a full-out ban, but I believe that an under-18 ban would be a better option, although I can see arguments for both sides.

[Paradoxic]

Likewise - I'll write up a good template letter for Arizona.  I think it'll be useful to have around to use in lobbying against bills in other states as well.

Considering that this bill may not be heard at all, I'll push for a ban for minors - not under 21.  I do appreciate that the bill is not a full-out ban, but I believe that an under-18 ban would be a better option, although I can see arguments for both sides.

I dunno, I think you should perhaps send a letter that adamantly opposes a full ban (so sorta re-affirming their under 21 ban). I would avoid trying to reduce it to 18, I think 21 is fine. Just list reasons why there should not be a full ban, such as research potential, etc. If I have time I want to write up a good letter about the research potential and specifically the research going on in Arizona and hopefully get some researchers I know to sign onto the letter. But I would be great for you to get a template up sooner (I probably wont have mine done for another week or so).

[Yossaria]

Alright.  I'll just write a letter opposing a full-out ban - that'll probably get more attention anyways than a ploy for a change to 18 years.  I'll try to get a draft up soon, but I'm not sure how long it will take me - I'll send a copy to you when I'm done.

[Thorsun]

I completely agree with the movement to at least restrict the use of Salvia to at least 18.  It's the best way to keep it legal because it shows some effort of keeping the use limited to adults.  Restricting it to 21 may seem unfair to adults between the ages of 18 to 21, but this would put it in line with alcohol.  I am the parent of a 14 year old and an 11 year old.  I certainly wouldn't want them to smoke anything or take any type of drug.  Though I have to admit if I found out they had tried Salvia I wouldn't freak out.  It's such a short lived high and has no lingering effects.

I rejoiced when I discovered what Salvia was and that is was legal here in Arizona because I suffer from arthritis and I hate taking pain pills.  I am usually free from pain long after the effects wear off.