Ray Stern
State Politics and Issues Reporter at The Arizona Republic
State Politics and Issues reporter for the Arizona Republic, covering AZ Legislature. Married 💕to @amysilvermanaz. Formerly @PhoenixNewTimes & EV Trib.
Articles
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1 week ago |
azcentral.com | Ray Stern
Hemp and marijuana are the same plant, cannabis sativa, with the key difference being legal definitions based on THC content. The term "marijuana" emerged later in American usage than "hemp," causing initial confusion about their identity. While containing various compounds including Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC, extracted forms are chemically identical regardless of the source plant.
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1 week ago |
azcentral.com | Ray Stern
When a spot in the Arizona Senate opened up in March, Kiana Sears applied and got the job. There was just one problem: Her other job. She was unable to serve in the Senate and keep her position at Arizona State University because the state constitution bans lawmakers from working in most government jobs. Sears said ASU told her she'd have a new job as a teacher. Then something happened. It's unclear exactly what. Sears isn't saying.
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2 weeks ago |
azcentral.com | Ray Stern
Arizona entrepreneur Thomas Damato's business, Hemp Quarters, was raided by police in March 2024 for selling intoxicating hemp products. A year later, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes gave other businesses a 30-day grace period to cease sales of those products. While Damato's Porsche was returned, his inventory remains seized, and he faces potential felony charges.
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2 weeks ago |
azcentral.com | Ray Stern
An Arizona judge rejected a hemp industry group's request to block a crackdown on THC-infused products. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes maintains that intoxicating hemp products should only be sold in licensed marijuana dispensaries. The hemp industry argues that federal and state law allows for the sale of these products and that the crackdown will harm businesses and jobs.
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3 weeks ago |
azcentral.com | Ray Stern
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a bill making falsely claiming military veteran status for benefits a crime. The law, effective later this year, targets those seeking monetary, property, or other tangible benefits, including elected office. The bill's passage followed a contentious journey through the Legislature, including a clash between Republican lawmakers.
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RT @maryjpitzl: Can Republicans hang onto the majority in the US House next year? Some calm on the tariff front and caution on budget cuts…
"...The soldiers have an herb named marijuana, which they roll into small cigaros and smoke. It produces intoxication which lasts for five days, and for that period they are in paradise." See my story on the differences between hemp and marijuana: https://t.co/gdDSdJPYPo
"Sen. Analise Ortiz, D-Phoenix, said she voted for the bill because she believed 'the agency with some of the largest state contracts should follow the procurement code like every other state agency.'" - By @sbarchenger: https://t.co/Gj8AU5CDTX
