The Arkansas Landlords Association, in a news release distributed by Jon Gilmore,  a former staff member for Gov. Asa Hutchinson, has announced opposition to the medical marijuana initiatives because it says landlords would be forced to rent to people who use marijuana.

Whereas no marijuana users currently occupy rented premises in Arkansas.

Advertisement

And whereas the measures legalize prescribed medical uses of marijuana. The landlords also couldn’t evict someone taking prescribed Oxycontin for pain.

And whereas the landlords don’t evict people who ingest lethal amounts of rage-inducing alcohol.

Advertisement

The landlords say the medical marijuana measures “masquerade” as medicine. The trick has been effective in winning support of 75 percent of the country’s physicians. 

The landlords are also responsible, it seems fair to note, for Arkansas having the most draconian landlord-tenant laws in the country. Worst in the country. A little marijuana might make a woefully maintained rental unit in Arkansas marginally more tolerable.

Advertisement

Bottom line: The people who’ve fought to preserve a criminal penalty for failure to pay rent think their business would be diminished if they couldn’t evict someone using a legal substance. Nice bunch.

50 years of fearless reporting and still going strong

Be a part of something bigger and join the fight for truth by subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times. For 50 years, our progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock has been tackling powerful forces through our tough, determined, and feisty journalism. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 email subscribers, it's clear that our readers value our commitment to great journalism. But we need your help to do even more. By subscribing or donating – as little as $1 –, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be supporting our efforts to hire more writers and expand our coverage. Take a stand with the Arkansas Times and make a difference with your subscription or donation today.

Previous article Police officer hit by car during traffic stop Next article Landmark IHOP comes down