Arizona Tackles Retail Theft, Psilocybin Research, and Education Funding

In recent months, there has been an upswing in the occurrence of retail theft by organized crime rings. A bill has been introduced in the Arizona House that would increase the sentence for organized crime/theft, if the offender has 2 prior convictions, from 2-1/2 years in prison to 4-1/2 years. The Maricopa County Attorney is in favor of the bill. The Pima County Attorney opposes it. It remains to be seen whether the bill will pass.

In the previous year, Arizona allocated $5 million dollars to study the effects of psilocybin, the compound found in “magic mushrooms”. The study would look at the compound’s efficacy in treating a variety of medical conditions such as depression, PTSD, substance abuse, eating disorders, etc. The cut-off date for approval of the program has arrived and there is a push to delay the cut-off to 2026. Some legislators are against the program and would rather see that the $5 million go elsewhere. The decision is pending.

Democrats in the Legislature and the Governor support an increase of funds going to public education to 8.9% of the proceeds from the sale of public lands. Republicans opposed the increase. State Treasurer, Kimberly Yee says the Trust can only afford a disbursement of 4-5%. A vote is pending.