Arkansas advocates are currently gathering signatures to put a constitutional amendment on next year’s ballot to legalize adult-use cannabis in the state 4State News reports. Arkansas True Grass needs 89,151 verified signatures to put the issues on November 2022 ballots by July 8.
The group failed four years ago to get the issue to voters and subsequently sued the state attorney general, unsuccessfully, over procedural issues associated with the campaign, the report says. The measure would legalize cannabis use for adults 21-and-older and allow personal cultivation of up to 12 plants. The proposal would not make any changes to the state’s medical cannabis law.
The amendment would allow an unlimited number of cannabis business licenses in the state. Briana Boling, spokeswoman for True Grass, said the measure would provide for “affordable” industry licensing, which would be administered by the state Department of Agriculture.
“What we have right now in Arkansas isn’t good for patients. It’s just not. And the people that really need it can’t afford it, can’t get it. Can’t even afford to see the doctor to get it. That’s what needs to change.” – Boling to 4State News
The proposal also includes expungement provisions that would apply to individuals who have charges – or are currently incarcerated – for offenses related only to cannabis crime which would be legalized under the proposal.
“We want to free the people and the plant,” Boling told 4State News. “We don’t think that anybody should be arrested over a plant that’s proven to be safer than alcohol and tobacco.”
In 2016, Arkansas voters approved a medical cannabis initiative with 53.11% of the vote after the proposal failed in 2012.
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