Recreational marijuana petition finds widespread support, tests new signature collection process

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Under new laws passed by the Arkansas Legislature in recent years, many political observers expected greater difficulty in collecting ballot petition signatures.

But Responsible Growth Arkansas collected more than 193,000 signatures for its adult recreational marijuana initiative – more than twice what was needed to qualify. The Secretary of State’s office is reviewing the signatures and, if approved, the ballot title will be considered by the State Board of Election Commissioners under a new state law.

Of the $3.2 million raised by Responsible Growth Arkansas as of its June 30, 2022 financial disclosure report, approximately $2.3 million has been spent on the signature collection process. Verified Arkansas, LLC of Little Rock and Advanced Micro Targeting, Inc. of Dallas are the two beneficiaries of that spending.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/07/recreational-marijuana-petition-finds-widespread-support-tests-new-signature-collection-process/

Arkansas Governor Says Reconsideration Of Mask Ban In Schools Would Have To Come From Legislature

By CHRISTINE JONES

Gov. Asa Hutchinson says it will be up to the Arkansas General Assembly to decide whether to repeal a facemask ban in schools. It comes as parents are fearing for the safety of their children with the new academic year starting in a few weeks.

In response to the growing number of COVID-19 cases, one mother began a petition campaign on social media. “Tell the Republicans to Allow Schools to Protect Kids by Mandating Masks” was started last Tuesday and has already garnered more than 1,400 signatures.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-governor-says-reconsideration-mask-ban-schools-would-have-come-legislature