Faced with two ballot proposals giving Arkansas voters the choice to legalize medical marijuana next month, state Rep. Dan Douglas, R-Bentonville, said Monday it is time the legislature take steps to offer some leeway in legalizing the medicinal benefits of cannabis.
During a news conference announcing a coalition of 84 members of the General Assembly who oppose Issues 6 and 7, which are competing plans to allow the sale of medicinal marijuana, Douglas promised to offer legislation next year which would allow certain strains of marijuana containing low volumes of THC but higher concentrations of cannabidiol oil.
Cannabidiol oil, Douglas said, is believed by some to have medicinal value in alleviating symptoms from seizures and epilepsy. THC is what gets a user high, Douglas said.
Douglas said he believes his proposal would take away the incentive for pro-medical marijuana groups to make further attempts at getting the drug legalized by voters.
A previous attempt to legalize medical marijuana was put before Arkansas voters in 2012, and it narrowly failed with 49 percent of the vote. The lawmakers who voiced their opposition Monday said they expect a similarly tight vote this year.
Read Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.
Lawmakers who oppose ballot proposals legalizing use of medical marijuana
Speaker Jeremy Gillam
Rep. Andy Davis
Rep. Bob Ballinger
Rep. Brandt Smith
Rep. Brent Talley
Rep. Bruce Cozart
Rep. Charlene Fite
Rep. Charles Armstrong
Rep. Charlie Collins
Rep. Charlotte Vining Douglas
Rep. Dan Douglas
Rep. Dan Sullivan
Rep. Dave Wallace
Rep. David Branscum
Rep. David Meeks
Rep. Deborah Ferguson
Rep. Donnie Copeland
Rep. Douglas House
Rep. Gary Deffenbaugh
Rep. Grant Hodges
Rep. James Ratliff
Rep. James Sturch
Rep. Jana Della Rosa
Rep. Jim Dotson
Rep. Joe Farrer
Rep. Joe Jett
Rep. John Baine
Rep. John Payton
Rep. Josh Miller
Rep. Julie Mayberry
Rep. Justin Gonzales
Rep. Justin Harris
Rep. Karilyn Brown
Rep. Ken Bragg
Rep. Kim Hammer
Rep. Kim Hendren
Rep. Lance Eads
Rep. Lane Jean
Rep. Lanny Fite
Rep. Laurie Rushing
Rep. Les Eaves
Rep. Marcus Richmond
Rep. Mark Lowery
Rep. Mary Bentley
Rep. Michelle Gray
Rep. Mickey Gates
Rep. Monte Hodges
Rep. Nate Bell
Rep. Nelda Speaks
Rep. Prissy Hickerson
Rep. Rebecca Petty
Rep. Richard Womack
Rep. Robin Lundstrum
Rep. Ron McNair
Rep. Stephen Meeks
Rep. Steve Magie, M.D.
Rep. Tim Lemons
Rep. Trevor Drown
Senator Alan Clark
Senator Bart Hester
Senator Blake Johnson
Senator Bruce Maloch
Senator Cecile Bledsoe
Senator David Burnett
Senator David Sanders
Senator Eddie Cheatham
Senator Eddie Joe Williams
Senator Gary Stubblefield
Senator Greg Standridge
Senator Jake Files
Senator Jane English
Senator Jason Rapert
Senator Jeremy Hutchinson
Senator Jim Hendren
Senator Jimmy Hickey
Senator John Cooper
Senate President Pro Tempore Jonathan Dismang
Senator Larry Teague
Senator Linda Collins-Smith
Senator Missy Irvin
Senator Ron Caldwell
Senator Scott Flippo
Senator Terry Rice
Senator Uvalde Lindsey