Arkansas Court Says Voters Will Have Their Say On Legalization Ballot Initiative

The Arkansas Supreme Court ruled Thursday that voters can consider a medical marijuana proposal on the November ballot.

Justices sided with supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow patients with certain medical conditions to purchase marijuana from dispensaries. The proposal is one of two medical marijuana proposals on the ballot.

A coalition of groups, including the state Chamber of Commerce and the Arkansas Farm Bureau, had asked the court to prevent officials from counting any votes for the measure in the November 8 election.

The measure allows patients with certain conditions to buy the drug, but differs from the second proposal in their restrictions and regulations. For example, the competing proposal allows patients to grow their own marijuana if they don't live near a dispensary.

Arkansas voters narrowly rejected a medical marijuana proposal four years ago, despite national groups spending big in favour of legalization. Meanwhile, national support for medical marijuana has grown ...