Arkansas Groups Submit Signatures for Cannabis, Casino Proposals

Arkansas Activists Submit Signatures for Medical Cannabis Expansion and Casino License Repeal

LOS ANGELES — Supporters of measures to expand Arkansas’ medical cannabis program and repeal a casino license have submitted thousands of signatures in hopes of placing these initiatives on the November ballot.

Medical Cannabis Expansion Proposal

The proposal to expand Arkansas’ medical cannabis program, initially approved by voters in 2016, aims to broaden the definition of medical professionals who can certify patients for medical cannabis use. Arkansans for Patient Access, the group leading this effort, reported gathering more than 111,000 signatures.

“Our canvassers found voters eager to place an amendment on the ballot that will eliminate barriers to access and make it less expensive to acquire and keep a medical cannabis card,” said Bill Paschall from Arkansans for Patient Access.

Casino License Repeal

Another significant measure seeks to block a license for a Pope County casino, which has been embroiled in legal disputes for years. Pope County was one of four sites approved for casinos under a 2018 constitutional amendment. The group advocating for this repeal stated they collected over 162,000 signatures.

Signature Verification Process

Election workers will spend the coming weeks verifying the submitted signatures. Proposed constitutional amendments require at least 90,704 valid signatures from registered voters, with a minimum number of signatures from 50 of the state’s 75 counties.

The Arkansas Secretary of State’s office has hired 90 temporary workers to assist with this process. Should the signatures be verified, the groups behind the measures could qualify for an additional 30 days to gather more signatures if they meet at least 75% of the required numbers.

Potential Legal Challenges

Even with verified signatures, the initiatives may still face legal challenges. The Family Council Action Committee has expressed its intent to challenge the cannabis and abortion measures if they make it to the ballot.

Other Initiatives

Other proposals did not gather enough signatures to qualify. These included initiatives to:

• Require schools receiving public funding to adhere to the same standards as traditional public schools.
• Strengthen public access to government records and meetings.
• Exempt feminine hygiene products and diapers from sales taxes.

Context and Background

The medical cannabis program, implemented in Arkansas in 2019, currently serves over 102,000 registered patients. A recent law allows medical cannabis patients to obtain concealed carry licenses for firearms. The new proposal also includes a trigger provision that would end cannabis prohibition in the state if the federal government enacts legalization.

In 2022, Arkansas voters rejected a broader legalization measure for cannabis.

The outcome of these proposed amendments will be determined as the state continues to verify the submitted signatures and addresses potential legal disputes.