Tag: Marijuana Amendment

What’s in the 2024 Arkansas Marijuana Amendment?

This article is part of an ongoing series tracking the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2024 and examining its possible effects on state law.

An organization in Arkansas is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to put marijuana on the ballot this year.

If passed, the 2024 marijuana amendment would drastically expand Arkansas’ marijuana laws.

Below are a few examples of changes the amendment would make to marijuana in Arkansas.

Free Marijuana Cards at Taxpayer Expense

Currently, marijuana users pay $50 for a medical marijuana card. This money helps facilitate the marijuana program.

Section 3 of the amendment would eliminate that $50 fee.

The amendment also gives free marijuana cards to immigrants and out-of-state residents who come to Arkansas to use marijuana.

Free marijuana cards likely means taxpayers will bear more financial responsibility for marijuana in Arkansas.

Enabling Recreational Marijuana

Section 3 of the amendment lets people use “medical” marijuana without suffering from one of the specific medical conditions — like cancer or glaucoma — currently listed in state law.

Letting people use marijuana without suffering from a specific medical condition listed in state law arguably would enable recreational marijuana in Arkansas.

A Monopoly for Marijuana Growers and Sellers

Sections 3 and 5 of the amendment would help guarantee marijuana growers and sellers a monopoly over the marijuana industry in Arkansas.

Repealing Restrictions on Marijuana Advertising

Section 3 of the amendment repeals restrictions on marijuana advertising.

Over the years, the State of Arkansas has enacted restrictions to help ensure marijuana advertising doesn’t target children and that advertisements don’t use a cross or other symbols commonly associated with the practice of medicine.

In 2019 the Gov. Hutchinson signed a law requiring marijuana advertisements to include disclaimers about the dangers of marijuana.

The proposed amendment would repeal and replace these restrictions.

You Can Download a Copy of the Marijuana Amendment Here.

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Why Were Arkansas’ “Medical” Marijuana Sales So High on 4/20?

The Arkansas Times recently reported that “Marijuana sales on 4/20, the unofficial cannabis holiday, nearly tripled the daily average for medical marijuana sales in Arkansas this year.”

According to the Arkansas Times, users bought more than $2.1 million worth of “medical” marijuana on April 20. For perspective, the daily average for marijuana sales is $780,000.

But if “medical” marijuana is about treating illnesses and helping sick people — as Arkansans were led to believe when they ratified the state’s medical marijuana amendment in 2016 — then why would “medical” marijuana sales spike on a day dedicated to getting high?

We said in 2016 that “medical” marijuana is simply recreational marijuana masquerading as medicine, and that under the marijuana amendment, people would use marijuana recreationally.

The fact that “medical” marijuana spending was nearly three times above average on 4/20 would seem to prove people are using “medical” marijuana recreationally in Arkansas.

It’s worth pointing out that right now an amendment effort is underway to drastically expand marijuana in Arkansas.

If passed, the 2024 marijuana amendment would give free marijuana cards to immigrants and out-of-state residents who come to Arkansas to use marijuana, and marijuana users would no longer need to show they suffer from a specific medical condition listed in state law.

All of this would seem to further enable recreational marijuana in Arkansas.

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

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Five Facts About Marijuana’s Medical Risks

In recent years groups like the American Lung Association, American Heart Association, and others have highlighted serious risks and health conditions associated with marijuana.

Here are five of them:

#1. Marijuana Use Increases Your Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke

A recent study noted by the American Heart Association found that marijuana users face increased risk of heart attack and stroke compared to non-users.

The more often someone uses marijuana, the greater the risk.

Daily marijuana users had 25% higher risk of heart attack compared to non-users. The risk of stroke was 42% higher for daily users compared to non-users.

#2. Marijuana Smoke Causes Lung Damage

Experts agree smoking is still the most popular way to use marijuana. But marijuana smoke contains toxins and carcinogens similar to tobacco smoke.

And the lung damage it causes is linked to lesser-known conditions, such as chronic bronchitis.

#3. Marijuana Smoke Carries Other Health Risks As Well

Marijuana smoke damages more than the lungs. It also can suppress the immune system, raising other health concerns.

#4 Poisoning from Marijuana Gummies is Sending Children to the E.R.

In recent years there’s been a surge in the number of Poison Control Center calls and E.R. visits resulting from accidentally ingesting THC.

In particular, children sometimes eat candy laced with marijuana by mistake, causing them to experience a medical emergency.

#5. “Medical” Marijuana Carries the Same Health Risks as “Recreational” Marijuana

Practically speaking, there’s no difference between “medical” marijuana and “recreational” marijuana products.

Smoke from so-called “medical” marijuana carries the very same health risks and causes the same lung damage as so-called “recreational” marijuana.

And “medical” marijuana gummies contain the same chemicals as “recreational” gummies.

Additional Points to Consider

• An organization in Arkansas is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to put marijuana on the ballot this year.
• If passed, the 2024 marijuana amendment would drastically expand Arkansas’ medical marijuana law to enable recreational marijuana statewide.
  • For example, people would be able to use marijuana without suffering from a specific medical condition — like cancer — listed in state law.
• It also would give marijuana growers and sellers a monopoly over the marijuana industry in Arkansas.
• All of this could mean more marijuana in Arkansas, if the amendment passes this year.

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

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