Advocates in Arkansas are gathering signatures to put an adult-use legalization question to voters during the 2022 midterm elections, 40/29 News reports. The campaign by Arkansas True Grass is seeking to codify the reforms in the state constitution.
The proposal would allow cannabis use and possession by adults 21-and-older, allow sales through licensed retailers, allow for expungement of all cannabis crimes that would be legal under the amendment, and adults would be allowed to cultivate up to 12 plants in their homes.
The industry would be regulated by the state Agriculture Department.
“While Arkansas does have a great medical marijuana program, it does have shortcomings. It doesn’t allow for the patients to grow and the medicine itself is very expensive.” — Jesse Rapheal, a representative for Arkansas True Grass, via 40/29 News
The deadline to get the initiative on next year’s ballots is July 2022.
Medical cannabis sales in the state commenced in mid-2019 and surpassed $300 million last May—an average of $885,000 per day. In Arkansas, there are 32 dispensaries serving the state’s 76,553 active medical cannabis patients. The number of patients represents a 9,915 patient increase from April. Ultimately, the state will allow 33 dispensaries total.
A separate group—Arkansas for Cannabis Reform—had attempted to put the issue to voters during last year’s election; however, Melissa Fults, the organization’s executive director, told Cannabis Wire that the coronavirus pandemic “killed” the campaign’s ability to collect signatures.
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