Arkansas Troopers Seize Over 200 Pounds of Illegal Marijuana From Out of State

Marijuana,

On Wednesday the Arkansas State Police released a statement announcing troopers recently seized more than 200 pounds of illegal marijuana in traffic stops — all of which appears to have originated from out of state.

The drug busts are part of a larger trend, with troopers confiscating more 1,000 pounds of illegal marijuana from out of state in just the last few weeks.

Stories like these serve as a reminder that marijuana’s legalization in other states has actually fueled the black market and the drug cartels rather than weakening them.

California’s Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce seized more than $312 million worth of illegal marijuana in 2023.

Oregon has been inundated by industrial scale marijuana cultivation sites operated illegally by organized crime and drug cartels. Some of these marijuana operations are tied to labor trafficking and violent crime.

Oklahoma authorities describe illicit marijuana as a problem that “plagues” their state.

All of this comes as a proposed marijuana amendment is vying for the 2024 ballot in Arkansas — raising serious questions about how illicit marijuana could expand in Arkansas if the state goes the same route as California, Oregon, and others.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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Arkansas Authorities Investigating Possible AI-Generated Images of Child Sexual Abuse Material

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The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette recently reported police have charged an Amity man with possessing child sexual abuse material — some of which may have been generated through artificial intelligence.

The article says AI-generated child sex abuse material is not against state law, but in 2001 the Arkansas Legislature passed Act 1496 addressing computer exploitation of a child.

The law generally makes it a felony to produce or reproduce child sexual abuse material “by computerized means.”

At the time there was serious discussion about how computers and computer software could be used to manufacture child sexual abuse material.

Of course, in 2001 very few people could have imagined the artificial intelligence technology that exists today, but lawmakers recognized the need to address the issue — and Family Council supported the good law they passed.

As technology changes and artificial intelligence advances, lawmakers likely will need to enact new legislation to protect children.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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The Problem with the Biden Administration’s Plan to Reschedule Marijuana

Marijuana,

On Thursday the Biden Administration’s Justice Department announced plans to reschedule marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug — putting it in the same category as anabolic steroids or Tylenol with Codeine.

This move comes despite growing evidence of marijuana’s serious — and permanent — impact on physical and mental health.

A body of scientific evidence reveals that marijuana is harmful — especially for teens and young adults. 

Nationwide, since 2019, the number of kids diagnosed with cannabis-induced mental disorders, including schizophrenia and psychotic episodes, has increased by 50%.

And research has shown time and again that marijuana has a significant potential for dependence and abuse.

Reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule III substance is more than just bureaucratic tinkering. It may not legalize marijuana outright, but to many people it represents some sort of endorsement of marijuana — making it more accessible and acceptable.

Christians understand that human beings were made for a higher purpose than getting high, and scientific evidence continues to underscore the harm that marijuana causes to individuals, families, and communities.

While the Biden Administration is working to unilaterally reclassify marijuana, the group Arkansans for Patient Access is campaigning to pass a constitutional amendment drastically expanding Arkansas’ medical marijuana laws to enable recreational marijuana statewide. 

The amendment does not place any limits on the amount of THC that marijuana products and edibles can contain.

If passed, the amendment would guarantee marijuana growers and sellers a monopoly over the state’s marijuana industry.

The amendment would give free marijuana cards to immigrants and out-of-state residents who come to Arkansas.

Marijuana users would no longer need to show they suffer from a specific medical condition listed in state law. People would be able to grow and use marijuana at home.

The amendment also repeals restrictions on marijuana advertising.

All of this would lead to more marijuana in Arkansas.

Arkansas voters rejected marijuana legalization at the ballot box in 2022. That amendment was opposed by a broad coalition of churches, business groups, elected officials, and citizens who knew that marijuana would be bad for Arkansas. We anticipate similar opposition to the 2024 marijuana amendment.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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