Guests - Mohit Asnani, Alex Kolodin

Proud to Be a Wildcat: Weekend Sports Recap

As a dedicated Wildcat fan, I couldn't be happier with the thrilling weekend in sports. Friday's basketball game against UCLA was a nail-biter—we started strong at 15-5 but ended up winning by just a few points. Both teams were evenly matched, and our Basketcats showed real grit. Saturday's football game was equally exciting, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. It's moments like these that make me proud to support the University of Arizona. On the other hand, I've let go of my season tickets for the Cardinals after their underwhelming performance. But enough about sports—let's dive into the pressing issues facing our community.

Addressing Election Integrity in Pima County

This week on Winn Tucson, we're tackling both local and national issues, with a strong focus on elections. Even though the next major statewide primary isn't until August 2026, we can't afford to ignore ongoing problems in the system. As we've seen in Tucson, unaddressed issues tend to persist. The recent city council election sparked complaints not just about results—if you get more votes, you win—but about ballot handling, mail-in-only elections, and the exclusion of observers on Election Day.

Working with the Pima County GOP and a team of lawyers, we've sent a letter this morning to Governor Katie Hobbs and Attorney General Chris Mayes. This letter requests changes to the draft 2025 Elections Procedure Manual (EPM), which outlines election rules every other year. On Election Day, our designated observers were denied access starting at 5:50 a.m., despite being scheduled for 6 a.m. This wasn't communicated in advance, and the recorder took charge instead of the elections director—a shift we weren't informed about.

Typically, we might get upset but take no action. This time, we're pushing back. The letter, sent on my behalf, addresses concerns like envelopes requiring signatures and phone numbers on the outside, which many voters objected to. This led to overflowing ballot boxes at renamed "ballot replacement centers" (previously called voting centers), as people avoided mailing their personal information due to USPS scanning.

These issues aren't unique to Republicans—they affect Democrats too. Pima County is treated differently from Arizona's other 14 counties, creating an uneven playing field. Elections should be fair for all, without thumbs on the scale favoring those in power. We're requesting revisions to ensure the 2026 elections are administered legally, uniformly, and efficiently, in line with statutes.

Deviating from the law erodes confidence and transparency. Low turnout, like the 70% non-voters in the city council election, allows failing policies to continue under the guise of a mandate. Apathy in local elections is a problem—these races impact daily life more than presidential ones. The county supervisors have summoned the Pima County Recorder to their meeting this week, and our letter will be public soon.

We're not fighting for a party; we're fighting for Arizona law. If laws exist, they must be upheld. Voters deserve to know their ballots are counted legally, win or lose. We've seen patterns since 2019, including renaming centers to skirt laws—voting centers have stricter statutes than ballot replacement centers. The recorder's own ads called them voting centers, but on Election Day, they became replacement centers to avoid observer requirements.

In an all-mail election, ballot replacement centers are useful for issues like undeliverable ballots—we had 6,000 such cases. Late ballots at the post office may not have been counted. These problems could be resolved with proper voting centers. Our requests apply to all parties and candidates, rooted in Arizona law, not partisanship.

The Democrat Party should appreciate these efforts, as they benefit everyone. This traces back to 2019 under then-Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, who's been sued multiple times over the EPM and made changes. We're asking her, as governor, and Attorney General Mayes to stay within statutory bounds without exceeding scope. Former State Senator Vince Leach sued Hobbs in 2021—we're simply requesting they strike confusing language from the 2025 draft.

Broader State Concerns: From Trafficking to Missing Funds

Beyond elections, recent arrests related to prostitution and trafficking in Arizona are encouraging—criminal enterprises are being detected, disrupted, and dismantled. We'll have law enforcement guests later this week. As primaries approach, candidates will seek recognition; I urge listeners to research thoroughly. Don't take anyone's word, including mine—verify if candidates align with your values.

Arizona is called a purple state, with Tucson as a blue city in the second-largest county. Trust in elected officials is key. Recently, another $600 million was discovered going to Pakistan through the Katie Hobbs administration and DCS—problematic, given funds disappearing over four years. I hope the Department of Justice intervenes.

We still face unaccompanied children from various countries and criminal illegal immigrants—not those seeking assimilation, but those intending harm. As voters, our voices must be heard; voting is our greatest privilege from the Founding Fathers.

Observers are a party's right—if denied, it raises questions about hidden actions. Staffing shortages were cited, but drop-off boxes weren't properly manned. Twisting language like "voting centers" to "ballot replacement centers" circumvents laws. Such actions reinforce perceptions that Republicans can't win in certain areas.

Pima County's practices thwart fair elections. We've been denied observers in multiple cycles. With 2026 looming, this isn't grandstanding—we're presenting non-compliance points, asking for minor EPM corrections to clarify ambiguities.

The Hemp and Cannabis Industry: Closing Loopholes with Mohit Asnani

Shifting gears, I welcomed my good friend Mohit Asnani, who's deeply involved in the licensed cannabis industry. There's been significant movement in Arizona's marijuana and hemp sectors, with calls for clarity on the 2018 Farm Bill.

Mohit clarified he's in licensed cannabis, not hemp. Arizona's medical cannabis law passed in 2010; his first dispensary opened in Tucson in 2013. The 2018 Farm Bill, under the Trump administration, defined hemp as 0.3% THC or less on a dry weight basis. This led to exploitation: large products like drinks or gummies packed with high THC milligrams, plus synthetic cannabinoids like THC-P, Delta-10, and Delta-8—none naturally occurring.

These synthetics were created by converting CBD (a natural hemp cannabinoid with medical benefits for PTSD) using chemicals like hexane and butane. Products ended up in colorful, child-appealing packaging at gas stations, convenience stores, and smoke shops, where the age limit is 18, not 21.

Licensed cannabis faces strict compliance: fingerprinting, batch-specific testing ($400 each), age verification at 21+, and taxes (8.7% in Tucson, plus state excise). A $100 transaction yields about $25 in taxes, per Prop 207's deal with voters.

Unlicensed hemp products bypass this—no taxes, no testing for heavy metals or pesticides. The media often lumps them with licensed cannabis, blaming the industry for issues like kids accessing synthetics.

Frustration from parents, law enforcement confusion, and prosecution difficulties peaked. A recent government funding bill included a rider closing the hemp loophole, passing with bipartisan support (76 Senate votes). Senators Kelly and Sinema voted against it, but it defines THC limits at 0.4 milligrams per container, including psychoactive derivatives. A one-year rollout begins, but effects may come sooner.

Violations fall under the 1970s Controlled Substances Act, with penalties like those for marijuana in the '80s-'90s—fines, business loss, or worse. Mohit expects noise from affected parties claiming job losses (e.g., 300,000), but counters that includes legal non-psychoactive cannabinoids like CBD, CBG, and hemp for fiber/building. Many exploiting loopholes are large operations, some tied to international issues like Chinese "hemp" farms on the East Coast.

During a break, Mohit shared his business: D2 Dispensaries with locations downtown, east side, and Oracle.

Arizona's cannabis users may have increased, but medical card renewals dropped due to effort. Overall store traffic grows. Non-compliant shops (600-700 statewide) should boost legitimate businesses once regulated.

Misconceptions arise from illegal sellers tarnishing the industry's reputation—people don't distinguish. Prop 207 passed with 60% support for a taxed, tested structure. High County Sheriff Rhodes has noted this honors the voter deal.

State taxes from licensed cannabis: $200-250 million annually—substantial, yet enforcement falls to county attorneys, not always prioritized.

Federally, DOJ/DEA oversees; 39 states have programs, covering 200+ million Americans. To avoid irritating stakeholders, focus on 21+ access, like liquor. Overproduction in states leads to interstate movement disguised as hemp—now ended.

In Arizona, Department of Health Services regulates dispensaries but claims no authority over illegals. Their private attorneys (due to past AG reluctance) handle it, not assistants general. A new AG could improve enforcement.

Ancillary industries (insurance, real estate) serving hemp need to review product liability, as benefiting from law-breaking shouldn't stand.

Deep Dive on Election Reforms with Alex Kolodin

Joining me next was Alex Kolodin, representing Legislative District 3 in Scottsdale and running for Secretary of State—an office needing fresh leadership. We discussed Pima County's election issues and the letter to Hobbs and Mayes.

Alex affirmed it's the right step: independent observers at voting places are a settled principle, per groups like the Carter Center. Pima County uniquely refuses, aided by Adrian Fontes' EPM, exceeding authority and contradicting free/fair elections. Fontes has been court-restrained for threatening disenfranchisement.

Pima voters, especially Republicans but also Democrats, are most dissatisfied. The election integrity movement started with Pima Democrats over a decade ago due to opaque, law-ignoring practices.

The letter seeks minor corrections for clarity, ensuring observers and fair treatment. Pima, Arizona's second-largest county, could sway statewide races. As a statewide candidate, Alex wants observers for integrity and voter confidence.

Low turnout stems from distrust; observers build it. Fontes' past includes disenfranchisement threats, struck down by courts.

The outer-envelope change (signatures/phone numbers) drew pushback, causing overflows. Counties have discretion—recorder Gabriela Cazares-Kelly must revert it.

The letter was copied to Fontes, Cazares-Kelly, and Deputy Lisa Marra. It's a pre-December 31 request, not litigation yet.

Pima's blatant disregard for multiple statutes is emboldening, enabled by biased courts. Even Democrat judges have ruled against Fontes.

Elections should empower voters, not scare them. Maricopa Recorder Justin Heap removed nearly 300,000 invalid registrants—double-digit percentage, eroding confidence. Pima's rolls likely worse, lacking transparency.

2020's close loss (10,000 votes) is questioned amid discoveries like deceased voters (e.g., my father, died 2012). No enforcement then; courts rejected challenges despite evidence.

For 2025 session, Alex filed the Arizona Secure Elections Act—a constitutional referral bypassing Hobbs. It requires mail voters confirm addresses biennially (reducing stray ballots), ends late early voting for faster results, and mandates in-person options at convenient precincts (preventing disenfranchisement like Cochise's jail tax election, recently overturned).

Voters approve it directly. Contact legislators to support—Hobbs opposes, enlisting some Republicans.

Coordinated efforts turned Arizona purple via borders, licenses, and voter registration for non-citizens. 2026 goal: restore red status.

Alex visits Tucson December 10—details soon. Donate at alexforaz.com.

Teaser: Uncovering Census Manipulation with Wade Miller

Tomorrow, join me with Wade Miller, Vice President and Executive Director at the Center for Renewing America, a Marine Corps veteran focused on conservative values through grassroots activism.

We'll discuss the 2020 Census Bureau's admitted miscounts. Census determines congressional seats—Arizona missed a 10th by thousands, despite influx from California. Obama-era bureaucrats used a secret "differential privacy" algorithm, scrambling data and distorting representation.

COVID hindered door-to-door counts; manipulation added voters via borders. Undermining citizenship, it wasn't accidental—tied to Biden's win.

We'll cover fixes; Arizona can't redo censuses like some states. Tune in for hope in restoring order as we approach America's 250th year.