LOS ANGELES- Supporters of proposals to expand Arkansas’ medical cannabis program and repeal a casino license have submitted thousands of signatures to get their measures on the November ballot.
Initiative organizers, including efforts to modify the state’s abortion ban, claim they have enough signatures to qualify. However, groups advocating for education and government transparency, as well as a proposal to exempt feminine hygiene products and diapers from sales taxes, did not meet the required numbers.
Election workers will spend the coming weeks verifying the signatures. Proposed constitutional amendments need at least 90,704 valid signatures from registered voters and a minimum number of signatures from 50 out of the state’s 75 counties.
The medical cannabis proposal aims to expand the measure approved by voters in 2016. Changes include broadening the definition of medical professionals who can certify patients for medical cannabis. Arkansans for Patient Access, the group behind the proposal, stated they gathered 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.
The Arkansas Secretary of State’s office has hired 90 temporary workers to assist with checking signatures. If the signatures are verified, groups behind the measures could qualify for 30 additional days to gather more signatures if they meet at least 75% of the required numbers.
The casino measure seeks to block a license for a Pope County casino, entangled in legal challenges for years. Pope County was one of four sites approved for casinos under a 2018 constitutional amendment. The group behind the measure stated they gathered over 162,000 signatures.
Even if the signatures are verified, initiatives may still face legal challenges. The Family Council Action Committee has expressed intent to challenge the cannabis and abortion measures if they make the ballot.
Other proposals that failed to gather enough signatures include initiatives to require schools receiving public funding to follow the same standards as traditional public schools, and measures to strengthen public access to government records and meetings. Additionally, a proposal to exempt feminine hygiene products and diapers from sales taxes did not meet the required number of signatures.
Arkansas activists behind the cannabis initiative have submitted 111,402 signatures, needing 90,704 valid signatures from 50 counties to qualify. The proposal aims to expand the state’s existing medical cannabis program and includes a trigger provision that would end cannabis prohibition if the federal government enacts legalization.
The state’s medical cannabis program, implemented in 2019, has over 102,000 registered patients. A law took effect in August allowing medical cannabis patients to obtain concealed carry licenses for firearms.
Arkansas voters rejected a broader legalization measure for cannabis in 2022.
