Supreme Court rejects Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

Members of the Arkansas Supreme Court, in a 4-3 decision, have ordered that votes for and against a proposal to expand medical marijuana should not count.

Medical Marijuana - Rawpixel Image

Justices on Monday sided with Protect Arkansas Kids, a group which intervened in the legal challenge against Issue 3, while rejecting the original complaint from Secretary of State John Thurston. While Issue 3 will appear on the ballot this election cycle, votes for and against it will not count.

Issue 3 would have made several changes to the state’s medical marijuana program, which was first approved by voters in 2016. Among other things, the proposal would have loosened licensing requirements, expanded qualifying conditions and healthcare providers able to prescribe the drug, and allowed for medical marijuana patients to grow their own cannabis.

Supreme Court rejects Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment

Poll: Voters suggest a mixed bag for Issues 1, 2 and 3

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

A new Talk Business & Politics-Hendrix College Poll shows about one-quarter of voters are still undecided on three amendment proposals to be considered this fall.

In the latest survey of 974 likely Arkansas voters, which was conducted Oct. 17-18, 2022, Issue 1 has an 11-point lead, Issue 2 is a dead-heat, and Issue 3 is slightly opposed by just three points.

Respondents were asked:

Q: Issue 1, would give the legislature the authority to convene in extraordinary session (special session) by joint proclamation of House and Senate leadership or by written proclamation containing the signatures of at least two-thirds of the members of both the House and Senate. If the election were held today, would you vote for or against Issue 1?

44.5% For
33.5% Against
22% Undecided

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/10/poll-voters-suggest-a-mixed-bag-for-issues-1-2-and-3/

Poll: Issue 1 sees support; Issues 2 and 3 a mixed bag

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Three legislative-referred amendment proposals could all pass this November, although one measure has more support than the other two.

A new Talk Business & Politics-Hendrix College Poll of 835 likely Arkansas voters found a plurality of support for Issue 1, which would allow the Arkansas legislature to call itself into special session. Under the current state constitution, only the governor can call for an extraordinary session of the Arkansas General Assembly.

Q: Issue 1, would give the legislature the authority to convene in extraordinary session (special session) by joint proclamation of House and Senate leadership or by written proclamation containing the signatures of at least two-thirds of the members of both the House and Senate. If the election were held today, would you vote for or against Issue 1?

41% For
24% Against
35% Undecided

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/09/poll-issue-1-sees-support-issues-2-and-3-a-mixed-bag/