Supporters of efforts to enhance Arkansas’ medical marijuana program and revoke a casino license submitted numerous signatures on Friday in hopes of getting their proposals on the ballot for the November election. Initiatives aiming to expand the state’s medical marijuana laws and eliminate a casino license were among those that were submitted with more than enough signatures to potentially qualify. However, campaigns advocating for education, government transparency, and tax exemptions on certain items did not collect adequate signatures by the deadline.
The proposals will undergo a verification process where election officials will check the validity of the signatures to ensure they meet the requirement of at least 90,704 valid signatures from registered voters. These initiatives also need to demonstrate support from at least 50 out of Arkansas’ 75 counties. The medical marijuana proposal seeks to broaden access to medical cannabis by expanding the types of medical professionals authorized to certify patients for its use. If approved, this measure could make it easier and more affordable for individuals to obtain and maintain a medical marijuana card.
In addition to the medical marijuana proposal, a separate initiative aims to prevent the licensing of a casino in Pope County, a decision that has been mired in legal disputes for several years. Despite gathering over 162,000 signatures, this measure could potentially face legal challenges from groups opposing it. Meanwhile, other initiatives addressing issues such as school funding standards, public records access, and tax exemptions for feminine hygiene products and diapers did not garner enough support by the deadline.
The proposals were inspired by recent legislative actions, such as a school voucher program signed into law by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders last year and efforts to limit public records access under the state’s Freedom of Information Act. While some measures did not meet signature requirements this time, organizers plan to continue their efforts to bring these issues to the forefront in future elections.
