For all the controversy surrounding government-sanctioned public executions, they are also logistically complicated.

Since 2010, Arizona has attempted to illegally bring in drugs to be used for lethal injections because they can't be found here. A botched execution in 2014 left a man convulsing and suffering for two hours before he died. Drug makers say they want no part of the process.

It wasn't until a decade ago, that researchers concluded death by lethal injection was a violent, painful process.

Dale Baich, assistant federal public defender who represents death row prisoners in Arizona, says the latest legal maneuver by Arizona to support Nevada's fight against a pharmaceutical company is just the latest chapter in a struggle between governments in the business of performing executions and drug makers.

“The drug companies are making a business decision and that is why they are asking the states to return the drugs," Baich said.

But a brief filed by Arizona and 15 states argues the drug company involved in this case, Alvogen, is waging a guerrilla war against the death penalty.

The states want the right to use the drugs. But in the meantime, Arizona is left with a dilemma. The state has prisoners on death row and no acceptable way to perform executions.

"In Arizona the method of execution is defined in the constitution,” Baich said, so to change the method, the legislature would have to go to the people."

12 News can verify the only way to avoid the execution controversy anytime soon in Arizona would be to change the law.

Baich does not believe what happens in Nevada's case will have impact on Arizona one way or another.

12 News reached out to Alvogen, but we did not hear back.