High court clears way for Pearce recall vote
PHOENIX - Senate President Russell Pearce will have to defend his seat.
The Arizona Supreme Court on Tuesday gave the go-ahead for the first-ever recall election of a state official. The justices rejected arguments by Pearce supporters that recall organizers had not complied with all the necessary laws in gathering and submitting the signatures to force the Nov. 8 special election.
They did not explain their ruling, promising details in the future.
Two candidates have submitted sufficient signatures to run against Pearce in the election: Jerry Lewis and Olivia Cortes. Both, like Pearce, are Republicans in the heavily Republican district.
State and county officials said organizers submitted 10,365 valid signatures calling the special election, far more than the 7,756 needed.
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Voters' will must be heeded, says pot club
PHOENIX - The state cannot try to shut down medical marijuana clubs because Gov. Jan Brewer is ignoring the will of voters, an attorney for one of the clubs is arguing in Maricopa County Superior Court.
Michael Walz contends the clubs, where dues-paying members can get free marijuana, fit within an exception in the medical marijuana law approved by voters last year, which allows sharing among those certified by the state.
Brewer and state health director Will Humble are refusing to accept applications to run the dispensaries where the law says marijuana can be provided.
The clubs in Maricopa County allow people who've been certified eligible by the state to buy marijuana to get it free from others who grow it in compliance with state law if they pay a fee to join an exchange club. The state argues that is tantamount to selling it without a dispensary permit.
Howard Fischer
