AG McDaniel Approves Ballot Title For All Wet Counties

by Talk Business & Politics staff ([email protected]) 238 views 

On a fourth attempt, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel approved an effort to eliminate dry counties in Arkansas – a step that allows supporters to push for a ballot measure in the November general election.

With McDaniel’s sign-off on the technical aspects of the proposal, “The Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Amendment” is now approved to collect more than 78,000 valid voter signatures by July 7, 2014 to qualify for the November ballot.

McDaniel had rejected three previous submissions on the issue.

The amendment would allow for the “manufacture, sale, distribution and transportation of intoxicating liquors” in all 75 of Arkansas’ counties. The law, if approved by voters, would go into effect on July 1, 2015.

The General Assembly would be allowed to regulate, but not prohibit, the new law.

On Monday, McDaniel also rejected a proposed petition that would decriminalize marijuana.