On Dec. 18, 2014 the Pinal County Planning and Zoning Board denied a request for a zoning regulation amendment requested by the Rose Law Firm to delete the requirement that cultivation of Medical Marijuana be inside a completely enclosed, locked building and to modify development standards by removing size limitations and storage areas. This was denied by a vote of 9-1.
The Rose Law Firm of Scottsdale’s lawyers connect wealthy investors with landowners and pursue the bureaucratic process of permitting and rezoning, making millions representing marijuana dispensaries throughout Pinal County and Arizona. This firm is adept to plying the political campaigns in Pinal County with enough cash to ensure the Board of Supervisors approve anything they want.
On Feb. 18 of this year the Rose Firm’s lawyers argued for approval of eight open grow farms and 13 dispensaries. Our illustrious Supervisors, Anthony Smith, Todd House and Steve Miller voted to approve the changes that Ms. Rose’s firm had requested. They determined that is was necessary for the health, safety, and general welfare of the public to amend Pinal County Development Services Code concerning Medical Marijuana Dispensary off-site outdoor cultivation locations and sizes, even in view of the fact that the Planning and Zoning Board voted against it 9-1! These Supervisors defended their votes as a “right for farmers to grow whatever they want”.
Are you surprised that the Rose Law Firm recently hosted a high dollar fundraiser at their elaborate Scottsdale Offices for Supervisors Smith and House? Clearly this is, at the very least, an ethical violation, showing how blatant the quid pro quo political game is being played by some members of our Board of Supervisors. Give the Rose firm what they want and your campaign funds will grow significantly!
Smith and House sold out against the interest of the families they were elected to serve. The old cycle of corruption in Pinal County is still alive and well, it just has a new cast of politicians eager to place their political aspirations above those they were elected to represent.
/s/ Beverly Polmanteer
Eloy