State business leaders join Governor in opposing recreational marijuana

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Arkansas business leaders joined Gov. Asa Hutchinson Monday (Oct. 31) in calling for voters to oppose Issue 4, the general election ballot measure that would legalize adult use cannabis. At a news conference at the headquarters of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce in Little Rock, the industry representatives said legalizing recreational marijuana would compound problems for workforce recruitment and safety.

Issue 4 supporters said the arguments were no different than when medical marijuana was proposed in 2016, and that Arkansas businesses have not suffered since its passage.

Leaders from the trucking, construction and agricultural industries joined Hutchinson in condemning the proposal.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/10/state-business-leaders-join-governor-in-opposing-recreational-marijuana/

Poll: Opposition to recreational marijuana amendment grows, but slight majority still favor

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

Voter attitudes toward recreational marijuana have shifted significantly over the last month, according to a new Talk Business & Politics-Hendrix College Poll.

The survey, conducted on Oct. 17-18, 2022, collected opinions from 974 likely Arkansas voters statewide. Respondents were asked:

Q. On November 8th, voters will be asked to consider one proposed constitutional amendment proposed by the people. Issue 4 would authorize the possession, personal use, and consumption of cannabis by adults in Arkansas sold by licensed adult use dispensaries and provide for the regulation of those facilities. If the election were held today, would you vote for or against Issue 4?

Definitely for – 36.5%
Probably for – 14%  (50.5% For)
Probably against – 9.5%
Definitely against – 33.5%  (43% Against)
Undecided – 6.5%

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/10/poll-opposition-to-recreational-marijuana-amendment-grows-but-slight-majority-still-favor/

Modeling estimates $984 million in Arkansas marijuana sales by 2027, tax gain of more than $260 million

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

Arkansas voter approval in November of adult use (recreational) marijuana could add $2.4 billion to the state’s economy over five full years of implementation, and add up to 6,400 jobs by 2027, according to modeling from the Arkansas Economic Development Institute (AEDI).

The AEDI, housed at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR), was commissioned by Responsible Growth Arkansas (RGA) to conduct an economic modeling forecast of legal marijuana sales in Arkansas over a five-year period. RGA is the group that worked to get the proposed amendment on the November general election ballot.

If the issue is approved by voters, it would amend the existing law for medical marijuana and allow those who are at least 21 to purchase cannabis from licensed dispensaries. Existing medical marijuana dispensaries would receive licenses to sell recreational use cannabis at the dispensaries and obtain licenses to establish recreational cannabis dispensaries at another location. Licenses also would be available for additional dispensaries and cannabis cultivation facilities.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/09/modeling-estimates-984-million-in-arkansas-marijuana-sales-by-2027-tax-gain-of-more-than-260-million/

Arkansas Supreme Court puts marijuana amendment back on the November ballot

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

Recreational marijuana use will be on Arkansas’ November election ballot. The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday (Sept. 22) overturned a State Board of Election Commissioners (SBEC) decision to deny certification of the constitutional amendment legalizing marijuana use for adults.

The SBEC on Aug. 3 denied certification of a proposed constitutional amendment – Issue 4 – to legalize recreational marijuana for adults over the age of 21. The panel cited concerns regarding sufficient background checks for dispensary owners and limits on THC, tetrahydrocannabinol, a chemical found in marijuana. The SBEC review is part of a new process for ballot petitions.

In a 5-2 opinion, the Arkansas Supreme Court rejected the panel’s concerns about ballot sufficiency. Justices Shawn Womack and Barbara Webb dissented. (Link here for a PDF of the opinion.)

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/09/arkansas-supreme-court-puts-marijuana-amendment-back-on-the-november-ballot/

Arkansas recreational marijuana advocates say it could be $1 billion industry

KUAR | By Michael Tilley/ Talk Business & Politics

River Valley Relief in Fort Smith could add up to 150 jobs. Kansas City, Kan.-based Greenlight estimates adding 100 jobs in Arkansas with $2 million in new investment. They’re just two of many medical marijuana companies operating in Arkansas likely to add jobs and investment if voters approve recreational marijuana use for adults in November.

Polling suggests broad support for recreational, or what is also called adult use.

But there will be opposition. Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a former federal prosecutor and head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration under President George W. Bush, is against the November ballot question. He’s encouraging law enforcement groups to come out against the measure, telling members of the Arkansas Municipal Police Association not to be swayed by benefits being promoted by Responsible Growth Arkansas (RGA), the organization that worked to place legalization of recreational use on the November ballot.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-09-15/arkansas-recreational-marijuana-advocates-say-it-could-be-1-billion-industry

Group pushing for recreational marijuana in Arkansas releases first TV ad

by Marine Glisovic (msglisovic@sbgtv.com)

A new TV ad pushing for recreational marijuana is set to hit the airwaves on Wednesday (Aug. 31).

Responsible Growth Arkansas (RGA) is highlighting where some of the taxes derived from recreational cannabis sales will go in this new ad.

Whether Arkansans will see a recreational marijuana use question on the November ballot is yet to be determined as it is still being reviewed by the Arkansas Supreme Court. The State Board of Election Commissioners denied certification of the ballot title, but an appeal from the group’s supporters is being heard by the state’s high court. The court conditionally certified the measure to be on the November ballot while it decides whether the votes will count.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/08/group-pushing-for-recreational-marijuana-in-arkansas-releases-first-tv-ad/

Adult-use cannabis makes Nov. 8 ballot, votes might not count

by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

A group recently submitted more than twice the number of signatures for a ballot issue that, if approved, would allow for adult-use or recreational cannabis in Arkansas. While the issue was conditionally certified to be on the November ballot, the Arkansas Supreme Court will decide whether the votes will count.

Responsible Growth Arkansas gathered more than 193,000 signatures, more than twice the 89,151 signatures required to make the ballot. In late July, Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston confirmed the group had the signatures to meet the requirement. But in early August, the Arkansas Board of Election Commissioners, on which Thurston is chairman, denied certifying the ballot issue amid concerns regarding sufficient background checks for dispensary owners and limits on THC, tetrahydrocannabinol, a marijuana chemical.

Steve Lancaster, attorney for Wright Lindsey Jennings and spokesman for Responsible Growth Arkansas, appealed to the Supreme Court, and it ruled to conditionally certify the ballot issue. Lancaster said the ruling was needed to meet the Aug. 25 certification deadline, so the ballots could be printed on time.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/08/adult-use-cannabis-makes-nov-8-ballot-votes-might-not-count/

Steve Lancaster is an attorney for Wright Lindsey Jennings and the spokesman for Responsible Growth Arkansas. The group recently submitted more than twice the number of signatures needed for a ballot issue to legalize adult-use or recreational cannabis in Arkansas.

State Board of Election Commissioners denies certification of recreational marijuana ballot measure

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

The State Board of Election Commissioners on Wednesday (Aug. 3) denied certification of a proposed constitutional amendment to legalize recreational marijuana for adults over the age of 21.

The SBEC review is part of a new process for ballot petitions. The panel cited concerns regarding sufficient background checks for dispensary owners and limits on THC, tetrahydrocannabinol,  a chemical found in marijuana.

Responsible Growth Arkansas, the group supporting the ballot measure, turned in more than 193,000 signatures for adult recreational marijuana use, more than twice what was needed to qualify. Secretary of State John Thurston signed off last week on the measure as having sufficiently met the signature threshold to qualify for the November ballot.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/08/state-board-of-election-commissioners-denies-certification-of-recreational-marijuana-ballot-measure/

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/

Signatures submitted for recreational marijuana measure, Pope County casino repeal

by Marine Glisovic (msglisovic@sbgtv.com)

Two ballot titles were turned in Friday (July 8) to the Arkansas Secretary of State’s (SOS) office. If certified, Arkansas voters will vote on two questions, with one related to recreational marijuana, and the other involving a planned casino in Pope County.

The signatures must first be certified by the SOS. It takes 89,151 valid signatures for an item to be approved for the ballot.

Friday morning, the group behind the adult use marijuana proposal, Responsible Growth for Arkansas, submitted more than 190,000 petition signatures and ballot title for certification. According to the filing made with the SOS, former state legislator and former Democratic Party of Arkansas official Eddie Armstrong is listed as the chairman of the group.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/07/signatures-submitted-for-recreational-marijuana-measure-pope-county-casino-repeal/

Daniel Breen/KUAR News

Steve Lancaster, attorney for Responsible Growth Arkansas, submits paperwork to Leslie Bellamy (left), director of elections for the Arkansas Secretary of State's office, and Shantell McGraw (center), assistant director of elections.

Arkansas Recreational Marijuana Ballot Petition Initiative Exceeding Expectations

Jacqueline Froelich of KUAF

A state-wide citizens' petition initiative to place an Arkansas constitutional amendment to legalize recreational marijuana for adults on the November ballot is well underway. The “Responsible Growth Arkansas” campaign ends July 8th.

https://www.kuaf.com/show/ozarks-at-large/2022-06-08/arkansas-recreational-marijuana-ballot-petition-initiative-exceeding-expectations

J. Froelich

Contract canvasser, Jeff Hollis, right, and Ellis Hairston, a verified Arkansas coordinator prepare to collect petition signatures on the Fayetteville Square to legalize recreational marijuana.

New Arkansas recreational marijuana amendment proposed

KUAR | By Remington Miller

A proposed constitutional amendment to legalize recreational marijuana in Arkansas was filed late last week.

The Arkansas Adult Use and Expungement Marijuana Amendment would allow for one cannabis dispensary license for every 15,000 residents in the state and limit the number of cultivation facility licenses to one per every 300,000 residents. It would also allow anyone with felony or misdemeanor convictions related to the possession of marijuana to petition the courts for relief.

This will be one of possibly three amendments that will be on the Nov. 2022 ballot about recreational cannabis. One amendment, filed in May 2020, comes from the group Arkansas True Grass. Called the Arkansas Recreational Marijuana Amendment of 2022, it would legalize recreational cannabis for people 21 and older without putting a cap on the number of related businesses.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2021-11-08/new-arkansas-recreational-marijuana-amendment-proposed