Group behind proposed Arkansas medical marijuana amendment granted more time to gather signatures

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A group looking to expand access to medical marijuana in Arkansas by putting the issue on the November ballot is now getting some more time to get the needed petition signatures.

Officials with Secretary of State John Thurston’s office said that the group, Arkansans for Patient Access, is receiving a 30-day cure period after collecting approximately 77,000 signatures.

Mellissa Fults with Arkansans for Patient Access said getting 14,000 signatures to meet the more than 90,000 signature threshold in 30 days is doable because the amendment is all about the patients.

The role of prescribing medical marijuana in Arkansas is limited to doctors, but this proposal would add nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants and pharmacists.

The medical condition qualifications in the current law would also be broadened to include whatever a healthcare practitioner feels is debilitating for a patient and could be treated with marijuana.

Medical marijuana cards would also expire after three years under the proposal, instead of the current one-year limit.

“We knew that we’d have a cure period and we’re excited about it we need 14,000 more signatures,” Fults said.

Arkansas Family Council, which opposes the effort, released a statement on the cure period being assigned.

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