Group Pushing For New Marijuana Legalization Amendment In Arkansas

Matt Mershon with our content partner, KATV Ch. 7 News, reports:

A group is spearheading a campaign to create a new constitutional amendment in Arkansas that would legalize marijuana – both for medicinal and recreational purposes. The group got approval from Attorney General Dustin McDaniel’s office on the wording of their ballot title last week. Now, the group awaits approval the Secretary of State’s office on the wording of their petition instructions.

Fred Porter, co-author of the Arkansas Hemp & Marijuana Amendment, is probably the last person you think would be pushing for marijuana legalization. Porter is pastor at the Sabbath Day Church of God in Hot Springs as well as vice president of Arkansas CALM, the Citizen’s Alliance for the Legalization of Marijuana.

“We want it regulated, we want it made available, and we think we have the very best amendment out there to do that,” said Porter.

The amendment would legalize the cultivation, production, distribution, sale, purchase, possession and use of the cannabis plant, prohibiting sales to anyone under the age of 21.

Wording of the amendment goes as far as limiting “the quantity of plants cultivated shall be limited to thirty-six growing plants per qualified person,” and also establishes some ground rules regarding taxing the plant.

Porter touts prosperity in states that have already legalized marijuana recreationally – touting lower teen usage rates and a lower number of DWI’s in Colorado, all while boosting the state’s economy.

“Kentucky just harvested their first hemp crop,” said Porter.

The Bluegrass State is one of several states that have legalized hemp, but not marijuana.

“It’s going to be a multi-million dollar crop for the state of Kentucky. Why can’t Arkansas have that?” questioned Porter.

But for Porter, marijuana has a deeper meaning. Porter had been using cannabis oil to treat his stage four prostate cancer. The treatment delivered positive results, but the oil is expensive and not legal in Arkansas.

“Number of progression says – a few months,” lamented Porter about his prognosis.

Porter said he’s not sure he’ll be around to see his legislation pull through.

Read more or watch a video report of Mershon’s story at this link.