Proposition 207 won’t go into effect until January, but the Maricopa County Attorney is already dismissing pending marijuana cases.
In a news release Monday, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said all pending and unfiled charges of marijuana possession or associated paraphernalia charges will be dismissed.
"Instead of continuing to spend resources on these cases, this office will begin implementing the will of the voters immediately," the news release said.
Proposition 207 will allow adults 21 and older to legally buy or possess up to an ounce of marijuana for recreational use. The proposition passed with nearly 60% of the vote. Marijuana possession had been a felony in Arizona.
"We are instructing Deputy County Attorneys to file a motion to dismiss any charge covered by Proposition 207. If those charges make up the entirety of the charges of the case, the entire case will be dismissed. If there are other felony charges the case will remain pending, but we will file motions to dismiss the charges covered by Proposition 207," the release said.
The County Attorney’s Office said priority for motions to dismiss will be given to cases with court dates and those in custody.
