According to new polling, a strong majority of likely Arkansas voters support significantly expanding the state’s medical marijuana program.
The poll, commissioned by Talk Business & Politics and conducted by Hendrix College, was conducted between September 5 and 6, with a margin of error of +/- 4.6%. All participants were registered to vote and said they were “likely” to vote in the November 5 election.
Issue 3, the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2024, is supported by 54% of likely voters, with 35.5% opposed, and 10.5% undecided.
Issue 3, put forth by Arkansans for Patient Access (APA), would expand the state’s medical marijuana law in several ways, including allowing patients to grow up to seven mature marijuana plants, and seven immature marijuana pants, at a private residence. The measure would also allow dispensaries to sell smokeable marijuana prodcuts like prerolls.
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.
According to state data, the group in support of the measure has raised nearly $2 million, whereas the primary opposition group has raised less than half a million.
You can find the full text of the measure by clicking here.
