Arkansas Secretary of State Rejects Marijuana Amendment

The Arkansas Secretary of State, John Thurston, announced that the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2024 failed to qualify for the November ballot, as it fell short of the required 90,704 signatures by 2,664. The amendment aimed to expand medical marijuana access by allowing more healthcare professionals to certify patients, eliminating fees for patient cards, and permitting home cultivation. Supporters, Arkansans for Patient Access, claim they submitted over 150,000 signatures, but approximately 20,000 were excluded due to what they describe as arbitrary clerical rule changes. The group plans to pursue legal action against the Secretary's Office, asserting that the decision was politically motivated and undermined the democratic process. Opponents, including the Family Council Action Committee, support the Secretary's decision, arguing that the amendment was flawed and could lead to recreational marijuana legalization. The final outcome may still hinge on a ruling from the Arkansas Supreme Court regarding the legitimacy of the signatures.