The New York Times writes this morning
 that more than half the states may consider ballot measures this year to legalize use of marijuana in some fashion. It’s a movement that cuts across geographic and red state/blue state lines. The measures underway are split about equally between full legalization or medical use only.

Advocates of both flavor of marijuana decriminalization are at work in Arkansas. Petitions with 62,507 signatures must be submitted by July 7 for the 2014 ballot. The attorney general has signed off on the form of a medical marijuana initiative by Arkansans for Compassionate Care and another by Arkansans for Responsible Medicine. Some other ideas, including a straight legalization, are still working through the language review process. The Compassionate Care group continues to include a small grow-your-own provision, a factor that was considered important in the narrow defeat of a 2012 initiative.

Advertisement

Polls favor pot. So, too, do recent successful initiatives and the hands-off approach to legalized states by Obama’s Justice Department. Opponents are mobilized, too.

Be a part of something bigger

As a reader of the Arkansas Times, you know we’re dedicated to bringing you tough, determined, and feisty journalism that holds the powerful accountable. For 50 years, we've been fighting the good fight in Little Rock and beyond – with your support, we can do even more. By becoming a subscriber or donating as little as $1 to our efforts, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers to expand our coverage and continue to bring important stories to light. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, it's clear that our readers value our great journalism. Join us in the fight for truth.

Previous article Budget office details harsh impact of health plan backed by Tom Cotton Next article Carroll Cloar at the Arkansas Arts Center