An Arkansas initiative to expand the state’s medical marijuana program, in addition to establishing a federal trigger for recreational marijuana legalization, has narrowly failed to make the November ballot.
Today, Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston announced that Arkansans for Patient Access (APA) did not gather enough valid signatures to qualify the Arkansas Medical Cannabis Amendment of 2024 for the November 5 ballot.
In July, APA submitted 111,402 signatures from 62 counties, surpassing the 90,704 signatures required across 50 counties to place the initiative on the ballot. However, the state found that a significant number of signatures were invalid. The group was given 30 days to collect the remaining signatures, but they were unable to meet the requirement.
The Arkansas Medical Cannabis Amendment of 2024 would have expanded the state’s medical marijuana law to allow patients to grow up to seven mature marijuana plants, and seven immature marijuana pants, at a private residence. The proposal would have also removed the retail prohibition on smokeable marijuana products like pre-rolls.
In addition, the initiative would:
- Allow medical marijuana assessments and renewals to be conducted via telehealth.
- Allow out-of-state patients to receive protections under the state’s medical marijuana law.
- Expand new patient cards to last three years rather than one.
- Allow physician assistants, nurse practitioners and pharmacists to recommend medical marijuana in addition to physicians.
- Allow the above list of healthcare professions to recommend medical marijuana for any condition they deem appropriate, rather than having to follow the current list of qualifying conditions.
- Legalize recreational marijuana, with the possession limit set at one ounce, if the federal government deschedules marijuana.
You can find the full text of the measure by clicking here.
According to polling released earlier this month, Issue 3 is supported by 54% of likely voters, with 35.5% opposed, and 10.5% undecided.
