Supporters of an expansion of the state’s medical marijuana program announced today they turned in more than enough signatures to qualify their amendment for the November ballot.
Arkansans for Patient Access, the ballot question committee supporting the amendment, said they turned in 111,402 signatures with more than the minimum number required in 62 counties. Constitutional amendments needed 90,704 signatures with a minimum threshold from 50 counties before today’s deadline to make the ballot.
The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2024 would increase the types of medical professionals who can certify patients for the program to include pharmacists and nurse practitioners. The measure would also eliminate the $50 charge for patient cards, extend the life of patient cards from one year to three years, eliminate the prohibition on dispensary sales of pre-rolled joints and allow patients to grow some plants of their own.
Arkansans for Patient Access, composed of members of the state’s marijuana industry and cannabis advocates, has reported raising $1.7 million for the effort.
Marijuana advocates Melissa Fults and David Couch have voiced their support for the measure. They worked against a 2022 amendment that would have legalized adult-use cannabis in Arkansas.
Several groups are working against the measure and flyers posted to social media have shown opponents trying to link the measure to China. Stronger Arkansas, 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.
The Arkansas Family Council has also formed a committee to oppose several ballot measures, including the medical marijuana expansion. The group has reported raising $102,215 and $120,695 to fight several amendments, including the marijuana measure, across two financial reports filed with the Arkansas Ethics Commission.
Smart Approaches to Marijuana, a leading national opponent of legalized cannabis, announced this week it will work to defeat the Arkansas measure. The group worked to defeat the 2022 legalization measure.
Arkansas voters approved medical marijuana by ballot initiative in 2016. Medical marijuana sales in Arkansas have surpassed $1 billion since the first dispensary opened in 2019.
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