As Arkansas prepares for the November election, the debate over medical marijuana continues to be a flashpoint. A conservative nonprofit in Little Rock argues that a bill to reform the state’s medical marijuana program could attract illegal immigrants and turn Arkansas into a “drug destination.” It rallies the opposition.
The Family Council Action Committee, known for its conservative advocacy, announced it will tour the state ahead of the election to urge voters to reject the 2024 Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment.
Conservative Concerns: Immigration and Industrial Monopolies
According to Marijuana Moment, the group’s executive director, Jerry Cox, warned at a press conference that the proposed changes could have unintended consequences. “Imagine if an illegal immigrant could come here and get a free marijuana card,” Cox said. “What does that do for our state? And what message does it send to other parts of the country where Arkansas is a destination for marijuana drug use?”
This amendment aims to improve access to medical cannabis, especially for rural and low-income residents, by eliminating application fees and allowing telemedicine for patient evaluations. Supporters say this will make the program more accessible to those who need it most, especially in areas where access to health care is difficult.
But Cox dismissed these arguments, insisting that access was not the issue. “More than 100,000 people in the state of Arkansas currently have medical marijuana cards. There is no problem with access,” he said. He also raised concerns about monopolistic practices within the industry, potential harm to children from relaxed advertising regulations, and whether non-Arkansans, including undocumented immigrants, would take advantage of the system.
Supporters push back against fear-mongering
Arkansans for Patient Access, a group supporting the amendment, criticized the Family Council Action Committee’s claims as baseless fear-mongering. Committee member Bill Pascal emphasized that to obtain a medical marijuana card, patients must present a valid state ID and be certified by an Arkansas health care provider. “There is no draw,” Pascal said, referring to the immigration debate. “The Family Council’s claims are nothing but intimidation tactics.”
Pascal noted that 24 other states allow recreational marijuana use and have less stringent access requirements. “It would be foolish to think that Arkansas would become a destination for marijuana use,” he added.
Despite an ongoing legal battle over the measure’s voting eligibility, the Arkansas Supreme Court has yet to rule on its certification. The uncertainty adds to the tension as early voting begins, leaving many people unsure whether their votes for the amendment will actually count.
complex legal and legislative issues;
The proposed amendment also faces other legal hurdles. After initially approving about 77,000 signatures on the ballot, Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston invalidated additional signatures, citing technical issues with the paperwork. Arkansans for Patient Access challenged the decision, arguing that the disqualification was unfair. The state Supreme Court subsequently ordered Thurston to continue counting signatures, but the outcome remains undetermined because two justices have recused themselves from the case and their replacements are still waiting to rule. are.
The Family Council campaign tour will visit 25 cities in Arkansas, with volunteers in all 75 counties distributing literature, primarily in churches. Meanwhile, ads targeting local streaming platforms like Spotify against the measure are also being funded.
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