Arkansas Supreme Court Orders State to Continue Counting Medical Marijuana Expansion Initiative Signatures
The Arkansas Supreme Court has ruled that the state must continue counting approximately 18,000 signatures for a medical marijuana expansion ballot initiative, despite the secretary of state’s initial determination that they were invalid. The campaign, Arkansans for Patient Access, had submitted over 150,000 signatures, but the secretary of state, John Thurston, had deemed only 88,040 of them valid.
The campaign had challenged the secretary of state’s decision, arguing that the signatures were unfairly rejected due to an arbitrary rule change. The court has granted an expedited hearing and has allowed the prohibitionist group Protect Arkansas Kids to join the case.
The initiative, which would expand the state’s medical marijuana program, has gained significant support from Arkansans. It would allow healthcare professionals to issue recommendations for any condition they see fit, permit patients to grow their own marijuana at home, and add nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants, pharmacists, and osteopathic doctors to the list of professionals who can make recommendations.
The measure would also permit dispensaries to sell pre-rolled joints and include a trigger provision that would end cannabis prohibition in Arkansas if the federal government legalizes it. A recent survey found that a majority of likely voters in Arkansas support the initiative.
The state’s medical marijuana program has been popular since its implementation in 2019, with over 102,000 residents having registered for patient cards. The program has also led to a clarification that medical marijuana patients can obtain concealed carry licenses for firearms.
The case is ongoing, with the court’s ultimate decision determining whether the results of the vote will be counted after Election Day.
