Issue 4 is a ballot measure that aims to legalize recreational marijuana in Arkansas.It is the only measure on the ballot this November that was petitioned and added to the ballot by the people, not through the Arkansas Legislature.Dr. Janine Parry with the University of Arkansas explained what Issue 4 would do if it’s approved.”It would legalize a small quantity of marijuana for personal use among adults, so it’s basically a recreational marijuana measure,” Parry said.The group Responsible Growth Arkansas got Issue 4 on the ballot after gathering almost 200,000 signatures from registered voters.The Arkansas State Election Board originally did not approve Issue 4 for the ballot because of language regarding THC in some of the recreational products, but the Arkansas Supreme Court overturned that decision.Now voters get to decide if they want to legalize recreational marijuana.Parry said there are both conservative and liberal opponents to Issue 4.“The liberal opponents of this particular measure don’t like that folks currently serving for breaking marijuana laws earlier don’t get any amnesty or anything under this measure. So, some folks would like to see that written into it,” Parry said. “There are conservative opponents of the measure. They don’t want to promote marijuana use among adults or ease its use among adults or kids. They don’t want any more impairment on the roads.”Issue 4 only allows licensed cultivation facilities and medical marijuana dispensaries to grow marijuana.The amendment does not define “possession” of marijuana.If the amendment is approved, the first licenses for dispensaries to distribute recreational marijuana would be issued by March 7, 2023. Learn more about Issue 4 from the University of Arkansas System’s Public Policy Center and read the full ballot text.
Issue 4 is a ballot measure that aims to legalize recreational marijuana in Arkansas.
It is the only measure on the ballot this November that was petitioned and added to the ballot by the people, not through the Arkansas Legislature.
Dr. Janine Parry with the University of Arkansas explained what Issue 4 would do if it’s approved.
“It would legalize a small quantity of marijuana for personal use among adults, so it’s basically a recreational marijuana measure,” Parry said.
The group Responsible Growth Arkansas got Issue 4 on the ballot after gathering almost 200,000 signatures from registered voters.
The Arkansas State Election Board originally did not approve Issue 4 for the ballot because of language regarding THC in some of the recreational products, but the Arkansas Supreme Court overturned that decision.
Now voters get to decide if they want to legalize recreational marijuana.
Parry said there are both conservative and liberal opponents to Issue 4.
“The liberal opponents of this particular measure don’t like that folks currently serving for breaking marijuana laws earlier don’t get any amnesty or anything under this measure. So, some folks would like to see that written into it,” Parry said. “There are conservative opponents of the measure. They don’t want to promote marijuana use among adults or ease its use among adults or kids. They don’t want any more impairment on the roads.”
Issue 4 only allows licensed cultivation facilities and medical marijuana dispensaries to grow marijuana.
The amendment does not define “possession” of marijuana.
If the amendment is approved, the first licenses for dispensaries to distribute recreational marijuana would be issued by March 7, 2023. Learn more about Issue 4 from the University of Arkansas System’s Public Policy Center and read the full ballot text.
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