Group looking to expand medical marijuana access in Arkansas expects success in November

Samantha Boyd
·2 min read
1

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A group looking to make some changes to medical marijuana access under Amendment 98 of the state constitution is one step closer to its goal, after the most recent approval from Attorney General Tim Griffin of their last submission.

Arkansans for Patient Access is behind the measure and received approval from Griffin this week for their latest version of the measure. If approved by voters, it would change the current medical marijuana law and increase access for patients.

Currently, the role is limited to doctors, but this proposal would add nurse practitioners, physicians assistants and pharmacists.

The medical condition qualifications in the current law would also be broadened to include whatever a health care practitioner feels is debilitating for a patient and could be treated with marijuana.

Attorney general approves ballot proposal for changes to Arkansas medical marijuana laws

Medical marijuana cards would also expire after three years under the proposal, instead of the current one-year limit. The measure would also add two years until expiration for current cardholders.

“It gives more access, easier process, longer cards,” Melissa Fults with Arkansas Cannabis Alliance said. “It’s just going to be a better program.”

Fults said the current laws leave out a lot of patients still, and many still have to go to the black market. She also emphasized that it does not currently allow any kind of home growth.

President of Arkansas Family Council, Jerry Cox said he finds the measure too expansive and fears the advertising will be harmful, specifically to kids.

“Our current medical marijuana problem is sufficient to address the people who say, ‘I’m sick’ or ‘I have some sort of physical ailment,'” Cox said.

Arkansas medical marijuana sales broke all records for 2023

Cox added that this is a case of the industry writing itself into the state constitution and is worried it’d create monopolies.

“Will it help the industry? Yes,” Fults said. “But it is going to help the patients.”

The group now has until July to get the 90,000 required signatures for it to go on the November ballot.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.