Arizona Trump Republicans Support Repeal of Adult-Use Cannabis Sales, Backed by National Anti-Legalization Effort

In a move that could reshape the cannabis landscape in Arizona, two high-profile Republican lawmakers aligned with former President Donald Trump have publicly endorsed a push to repeal adult-use marijuana sales in the state. According to MJBizDaily, U.S. Representatives Andy Biggs and Paul Gosar have both voiced support for a proposed measure that would eliminate recreational cannabis sales, leaving only medical marijuana intact. This position places them at odds with Trump’s recent federal cannabis rescheduling efforts, highlighting a notable rift within the party on marijuana policy

The proposed initiative, dubbed the 'Sensible Marijuana Policy Act for Arizona,' is part of a broader campaign funded by the national anti-legalization group Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM). If successful, Arizona would join Massachusetts and Maine, where similar voter-driven efforts seek to roll back adult-use legalization. The Arizona measure is being spearheaded by political consultant Sean Noble, with campaign funding coming directly from SAM, a dark-money nonprofit known for its opposition to recreational cannabis

Arizona's legal cannabis industry has become a significant economic force, with adult-use and medical sales reaching $1.2 billion in 2024, according to the latest available data. Repealing adult-use sales would be a substantial blow to the market, which has operated since 2021 following voter approval. To qualify for the November 2026 ballot, repeal advocates must gather nearly 256,000 signatures by July 2026—a challenging but not unprecedented task given the financial and organizational backing involved

Both Biggs and Gosar have doubled down on their opposition to both adult-use sales and federal rescheduling. Gosar, who supports the Arizona repeal measure, told Marijuana Moment he hopes to "ask the president to reconsider marijuana rescheduling." He also criticized the industry, asserting that it has "resisted every which way with the regulations." Biggs echoed this sentiment, stating he is "inclined to support" the repeal bill and expressing concerns that cannabis users are more likely to require welfare benefits

The Arizona repeal effort mirrors similar campaigns in Massachusetts and Maine, also bankrolled by SAM, that have faced legal and procedural challenges. In Massachusetts, a recent fraud allegation against the campaign was dismissed by the state Ballot Law Commission, allowing signature collection to continue. As these initiatives gather momentum, the debate over the future of adult-use cannabis in Arizona and beyond is intensifying, with significant implications for businesses, consumers, and regulators alike

From the OG Lab newsroom perspective, this high-profile opposition in Arizona signals a potential turning point in the national cannabis policy debate. The willingness of prominent Trump-aligned Republicans to challenge both local and federal cannabis reforms could embolden similar movements in other states. For industry stakeholders, the outcome of these repeal campaigns—especially in a billion-dollar market like Arizona—will be closely watched as a bellwether for the resilience of adult-use legalization in the face of coordinated political opposition