Arkansas Med Marijuana Activists Gearing Up For Second Initiative
By:
Updated: December 15, 2012
Arkansas medical marijuana activists have joined forces with a national group and are aiming to get back on the ballot for 2014.
The measure failed by a narrow margin in November but one of the key organizers, Little Rock Attorney David Couch, says he has already re-written the ballot title, making changes that he believes will enable it to become law next time it goes before voters.
Among the changes---the new ballot title omits the controversial "grow your own" provision;requires prescriptions be issued solely by Arkansas physicians, and it requires yearly re-certification by patients to continue legally using marijuana for medicinal purposes.
The Executive Director of an Arkansas conservative group that opposes medical marijuana has vowed to battle the measure again.
"We're going to do everything we can to defeat this measure under the law," said Family Council Executive Director Jerry Cox.
Cox maintains that this new effort is a "back door attempt" to legalize marijuana for recreational use.
Colorado and Washington state voters in November approved measures legalizing the recreational use of the plant.
Cox said he does not think another effort to medical marijuana passed in Arkansas will succeed.
Couch says he thinks it will pass given the new ballot language.
Couch and other area activists have started an Arkansas chapter of Americans for Safe Access, a national pro-medical marijuana group that has offices in California and Washington, D.C.
The group's website states it has chapters in 19 states total thus far.
The measure failed by a narrow margin in November but one of the key organizers, Little Rock Attorney David Couch, says he has already re-written the ballot title, making changes that he believes will enable it to become law next time it goes before voters.
Among the changes---the new ballot title omits the controversial "grow your own" provision;requires prescriptions be issued solely by Arkansas physicians, and it requires yearly re-certification by patients to continue legally using marijuana for medicinal purposes.
The Executive Director of an Arkansas conservative group that opposes medical marijuana has vowed to battle the measure again.
"We're going to do everything we can to defeat this measure under the law," said Family Council Executive Director Jerry Cox.
Cox maintains that this new effort is a "back door attempt" to legalize marijuana for recreational use.
Colorado and Washington state voters in November approved measures legalizing the recreational use of the plant.
Cox said he does not think another effort to medical marijuana passed in Arkansas will succeed.
Couch says he thinks it will pass given the new ballot language.
Couch and other area activists have started an Arkansas chapter of Americans for Safe Access, a national pro-medical marijuana group that has offices in California and Washington, D.C.
The group's website states it has chapters in 19 states total thus far.
Comments
It is a good sign that people are aware of the medical attributes of the cannabis plant but instead of jumping through hoops trying to satisfy politicians that are bought and paid for by the corporations buying prohibition is a never ending task.
Go for legalization and bypass all this intrigue,,it is time to end prohibition,not give it more ammo to shoot at you with.
Norman G.
December 14, 2012 at 12:31 pm
