Group submits signatures for Arkansas recreational marijuana amendment

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KARK/KAIT) – A bunch advocating for the legalization of grownup leisure marijuana used submitted hundreds of signatures to the Arkansas Secretary of State’s workplace.

In line with content material companion KARK, a lawyer for the group mentioned he thinks an modification will probably be on the poll in November.

Accountable Progress Arkansas claimed it submitted greater than 193,000 signatures, KARK mentioned.

Beneath Arkansas regulation, at the least barely greater than 89,000 legitimate signatures are required. As soon as they’re verified, the proposed modification goes earlier than the Arkansas Board of Election Commissioners, who will then determine whether or not to approve the poll addition.

“We’re assured in our signatures and our modification,” mentioned Steve Lancaster, Accountable Progress Arkansas’ counsel.

The proposed modification would restrict gross sales solely to adults 21 and older. It might additionally restrict the variety of licenses to twenty cultivators and 120 dispensaries in Arkansas, in addition to prohibit promoting and packaging designed to attraction to kids.

Lancaster mentioned no at-home plant development can be allowed below the modification, with the group saying it might “convey wanted funds and jobs to our state”.

Different advocacy teams, nonetheless, declare Accountable Progress Arkansas is trying to monopolize the business.

Arkansas NORML is a bunch gathering signatures for the 2024 poll. The group’s treasurer, Melissa Fults, mentioned it’s “the one people-oriented choice”.

“Their [amendment] is horrible,” she mentioned.

Fults mentioned the NORML modification would expunge marijuana felony data and permit for small at-home development for individuals who can not afford to pay inflated costs.

“Once you management the business, you may set the costs to no matter you wish to and make folks pay it,” she mentioned. “It might additionally destroy the medical business we labored so onerous to construct.”

Fults advised KARK that NORML would doubtless file a lawsuit towards Accountable Progress Arkansas if the modification is authorized by the board.

Lancaster mentioned he anticipates challenges however doesn’t suppose they are going to forestall poll entry.

“I believe come November, we’ll go this factor,” he mentioned.

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