Medical Marijuana Expansion Measure Qualifies for Arkansas Ballot
07/12/2024
Supporters of an expansion to Arkansas' medical marijuana program announced they have submitted more than the required number of signatures to qualify their amendment for the November ballot. The group, Arkansans for Patient Access, turned in 111,402 signatures, surpassing the minimum of 90,704 required signatures from at least 50 counties.
The proposed amendment seeks to expand the types of medical professionals who can certify patients for the program to include pharmacists and nurse practitioners, eliminate the $50 charge for patient cards, extend the life of patient cards from one year to three years, allow dispensary sales of pre-rolled joints, and permit patients to grow some plants.
The amendment has received support from Melissa Fults and David Couch, who previously opposed a 2022 amendment that would have legalized adult-use cannabis in Arkansas. However, several groups are working against the measure, with opponents attempting to link the amendment to China through flyers posted on social media. Stronger Arkansas, a group chaired by Gov. Sarah Sanders’ campaign manager Chris Caldwell, has raised $375,000 to oppose the medical marijuana measure and others trying to make the ballot this year. Additionally, the Arkansas Family Council has formed a committee to oppose several ballot measures, including the medical marijuana expansion, raising $102,215 and $120,695 in two financial reports filed with the Arkansas Ethics Commission.
The national group Smart Approaches to Marijuana, a leading opponent of legalized cannabis, has announced its intention to work against the Arkansas measure. Arkansas voters initially approved medical marijuana by ballot initiative in 2016, with medical marijuana sales in the state surpassing $1 billion since the first dispensary opened in 2019.
The proposed amendment aims to enhance patient access to medical marijuana by expanding the types of medical professionals who can certify patients, reducing costs for patients, and extending the validity of patient cards. Supporters argue that these changes will improve the quality of life for patients who rely on medical marijuana for treatment. However, opponents claim that the amendment is linked to China and have raised concerns about the potential negative effects of expanding the medical marijuana program.
As the November election approaches, both supporters and opponents of the medical marijuana expansion amendment will likely continue their efforts to sway public opinion. The outcome of the vote will determine the future of medical marijuana in Arkansas and may have implications for the broader debate surrounding cannabis legalization in the United States.
Reference
The proposed amendment seeks to expand the types of medical professionals who can certify patients for the program to include pharmacists and nurse practitioners, eliminate the $50 charge for patient cards, extend the life of patient cards from one year to three years, allow dispensary sales of pre-rolled joints, and permit patients to grow some plants.
The amendment has received support from Melissa Fults and David Couch, who previously opposed a 2022 amendment that would have legalized adult-use cannabis in Arkansas. However, several groups are working against the measure, with opponents attempting to link the amendment to China through flyers posted on social media. Stronger Arkansas, a group chaired by Gov. Sarah Sanders’ campaign manager Chris Caldwell, has raised $375,000 to oppose the medical marijuana measure and others trying to make the ballot this year. Additionally, the Arkansas Family Council has formed a committee to oppose several ballot measures, including the medical marijuana expansion, raising $102,215 and $120,695 in two financial reports filed with the Arkansas Ethics Commission.
The national group Smart Approaches to Marijuana, a leading opponent of legalized cannabis, has announced its intention to work against the Arkansas measure. Arkansas voters initially approved medical marijuana by ballot initiative in 2016, with medical marijuana sales in the state surpassing $1 billion since the first dispensary opened in 2019.
The proposed amendment aims to enhance patient access to medical marijuana by expanding the types of medical professionals who can certify patients, reducing costs for patients, and extending the validity of patient cards. Supporters argue that these changes will improve the quality of life for patients who rely on medical marijuana for treatment. However, opponents claim that the amendment is linked to China and have raised concerns about the potential negative effects of expanding the medical marijuana program.
As the November election approaches, both supporters and opponents of the medical marijuana expansion amendment will likely continue their efforts to sway public opinion. The outcome of the vote will determine the future of medical marijuana in Arkansas and may have implications for the broader debate surrounding cannabis legalization in the United States.
Reference
