In Little Rock, Arkansas, a push to make medical marijuana more accessible has faced a setback after the group leading the effort couldn’t gather enough valid signatures for the ballot. An initiative to expand the state’s medical marijuana program has stumbled after failing to secure enough valid signatures to appear on the November ballot, according to Secretary of State John Thurston. The group behind the measure, Arkansans for Patient Access, fell short by 2,664 signatures, with only 88,040 of the needed 90,704 deemed valid. Despite this setback, the group plans to challenge the decision legally.”

The proposed amendment sought to extend the current medical marijuana framework, which was approved by voters in 2016. Key changes included expanding the list of medical professionals eligible to certify patients, widening the scope of qualifying conditions, and extending the validity of medical cannabis cards to three years. This effort highlights a significant public interest, as evidenced by the submission of over 150,000 signatures, although many were invalidated due to what the group claims was an “arbitrary” rule change.

The proposal’s rejection arrives on the heels of the Arkansas Supreme Court’s decision to block a separate ballot measure aimed at reducing the state’s abortion ban. In the broader landscape, about half of U.S. states currently permit recreational marijuana use, with a dozen more allowing medical use. This number could increase as voters in several states, including Florida and the Dakotas, prepare to decide on marijuana measures this November.

The opposition, led by the Family Council Action Committee, welcomed the rejection of the signatures. Executive Director Jerry Cox remarked that the measure was unsuitable for the ballot, though he anticipates the final decision will ultimately rest with the state Supreme Court. This development underscores ongoing debates and legal challenges surrounding marijuana legislation across the United States.

Source: AP News