State Board of Election Commissioners Votes Not to Certify Marijuana Amendment for November Ballot

Marijuana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 3, 2022

On Wednesday the State Board of Election Commissioners voted not to certify a ballot proposal to legalize marijuana in Arkansas.

Family Council President Jerry Cox issued a statement, saying, “This is good news. States that have legalized recreational marijuana have seen increases in drugged driving and traffic injuries. A growing body of medical research links marijuana with mental health problems. Arkansas simply does not need to legalize marijuana.”

Cox said the proposed amendment to legalize marijuana is misleading and poorly written. “The way the amendment is written, voters would not be able to understand this proposal. It repeals, replaces, and rewrites several parts of Arkansas’ medical marijuana amendment, and it adds new language to other parts of the Arkansas Constitution. It is unclear just how far-reaching some of these changes may be.”

Cox said Family Council will continue to oppose marijuana in Arkansas. “Marijuana is a multimillion dollar business, and the corporations who profit from it want to expand into Arkansas. Voters need to be prepared for the marijuana industry to work hard to push its agenda in our state. Family Council remains committed to opposing marijuana in Arkansas.”

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State of Arkansas Launches Grant Program for Pro-Life Pregnancy Resource Centers

Abortion, , , ,

The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration is accepting grant applications from pregnancy help organizations across the state.

Act 187 of 2022 budgets up to $1 million in state funds to provide grants for organizations that assist women with unplanned pregnancies — including pregnancy resource centers, maternity homes, adoption agencies, and social services agencies.

These organizations provide women with real options besides abortion, and they help women and families as they navigate unplanned pregnancies.

According to the Department of Finance and Administration, pregnancy help organizations can use the funds for projects and expenses such as:

  • Activities in direct support of pregnant women
  • Project material and supplies
  • Advertising of available services
  • Brochures and publications explaining services and available resources
  • Rent of facilities where services are provided
  • Utilities of facilities where services are provided
  • Contracts for client-focused professional services (mental health counseling, etc.)
  • Staffing for the duration of the project

Now that Roe v. Wade has been reversed and Arkansas has prohibited abortion except to save the life of the mother, we need to step up and help women with unplanned pregnancies.

Providing grant funding for pregnancy help organizations is part of our long term strategy to reduce the demand for abortion in Arkansas. This grant money could be a game-changer for many pro-life charities.

Pregnancy help organizations can apply for grant funding through the Department of Finance and Administration.

Pregnancy resource centers can contact the ARFuture Foundation in Little Rock for additional information about applying for this grant and others in Arkansas.

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State Lawsuit Alleges Marijuana Company Misrepresented THC Levels in Vaping Product

Marijuana

A lawsuit filed in Arkansas’ Faulkner County Circuit Court in June alleges that marijuana businesses manufactured and sold vaping products whose THC levels were improperly labeled.

The lawsuit identifies J.W. Nguyen as an Arkansas resident who purchased a marijuana vape product marketed as being low in Delta-9 THC — the psychoactive chemical found in marijuana.

According to the lawsuit, marijuana products that are low in Delta-9 THC are permitted under federal law. The lawsuit claims that Nguyen later tested positive for Delta-9 THC after using the product, and it indicates that subsequent testing revealed the marijuana vape contained inappropriate levels of Delta-9 THC.

A photograph of the vape product’s label says the product “Contains Natural Hemp Extract.”

The lawsuit alleges that the mislabeling violates the federal RICO law, the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and the federal Magnuson-Moss Act.

This lawsuit filed in state court is separate from a federal RICO lawsuit brought against a group of marijuana businesses in July alleging the businesses conspired to mislabel THC levels in marijuana products.

Read the Lawsuit Filed in Faulkner County Circuit Court Here.

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