LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — There's now less than one week left until early voting is set to begin on October 21, 2024.
This is something that can sometimes be triggering for people since they still want to get caught up to what each ballot measure means for them as a voters.
Every election year, the University of Arkansas acts as a neutral source in providing research from its Public Policy Center.
One of the key issues being discussed ahead of the November election is Issue 3, commonly known as the medical marijuana amendment.
While it is currently going through a legal battle on whether votes on the measure will count or not, voters will still see it on their ballot when they vote.
Issue 3 would provide a major expansion of the medical marijuana rules that were first voted on back in 2016.
This all began when voters approved a constitutional amendment creating a state medical marijuana program in 2016. However, it took almost three years to fill the first prescription.
In 2022, Arkansas voters rejected the use of recreational marijuana.
In the present day, the group, "Arkansans for Patient Access" unified different parts of the state's marijuana industry asking voters again to expand access in two important ways.
If approved, Issue 3 would expand the number of medical professionals who can prescribe a medical marijuana card, going beyond just doctors, and also granting permission for APRNs or pharmacists to allow patients to get the product.
Medical professionals would then be able to prescribe medical marijuana for a new, hefty list of qualifying conditions.
There's also a part that goes beyond medical marijuana.
This proposed amendment also adds that if the federal government ever legalizes or decriminalizes marijuana, then it instantly becomes legal in Arkansas too.
If Issue 3 is approved, then the changes to the medical marijuana amendment would go into effect on Nov. 15, 2024
For more information on the Arkansas medical marijuana amendment, please click here.