Arkansas Supreme Court Blocks Medical Marijuana Ballot Measure
The Arkansas Supreme Court has ruled that a ballot measure to expand the state’s medical marijuana program will not be counted, citing concerns that the measure’s language is misleading. The decision comes just two weeks before the election, and it is too late to remove the measure from the ballot. As a result, election officials have been instructed not to count any votes on the initiative.
The proposed constitutional amendment would have expanded the definition of medical professionals who can certify patients for medical cannabis, added qualifying conditions, and made medical cannabis cards valid for three years. However, the court ruled that the measure did not fully inform voters that it would have removed the authority of the state Legislature to change the 2016 constitutional amendment that legalized medical marijuana in the state.
The court also found that the measure did not inform voters that the amendment would legalize up to an ounce of marijuana possession for any purpose if marijuana were legalized at the federal level. Justice Cody Hiland dissented, arguing that the court was ignoring decades-long precedent by ruling the measure’s language was misleading.
Organizers of the initiative, Arkansans for Patient Access, expressed disappointment with the decision and vowed to continue their push to expand the medical marijuana program. The group argued that the signatures it gathered demonstrated widespread support for the measure.
The decision is a setback for proponents of medical marijuana in Arkansas, but it is not the first time the state has rejected a ballot measure related to the issue. Earlier this year, the state rejected petitions submitted in favor of a pro-life ballot measure on similar grounds.
The Arkansas Supreme Court’s decision is the latest development in a long-running debate over medical marijuana in the state. While some argue that it is a necessary step to improve public health and reduce the burden on the criminal justice system, others are concerned about the potential risks and consequences of legalizing marijuana.
The issue is not unique to Arkansas, as many states are grappling with the question of whether to legalize marijuana for medical or recreational use. In November, voters in several states, including Florida, North Dakota, and South Dakota, will decide whether to legalize recreational marijuana for adults.
