The Arkansas Supreme Court confirmed on Thursday that come November, voters will be able to decide whether or not to legalize recreational marijuana, overturning a state panel’s decision to block the measure, according recent reports from the Associated Press.
In August, a group by the name of Responsible Growth Arkansas submitted the request to certify the measure for the November ballot, but the Arkansas Board of Election Commissioners blocked the request. Supporters had turned in more than enough valid signatures from registered voters to qualify, but approval from the board was necessary for it to appear on the ballot.
The group appealed the proposal, which was then reportedly granted by state Justices.
Because the deadline has passed to certify initiative titles, the court had allowed the measure on the general election ballot while it decided whether the votes will be counted, the Associated Press reported.
In 2016, medical marijuana was approved by Arkansas voters. In June 2021, AMP reported that sales of medical marijuana in Arkansas had eclipsed what was initially expected. By January 2022, medical marijuana purchases in the state had surpassed $20 million.
The new amendment would allow adults aged 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of marijuana, as well as allow state-licensed dispensaries to sell it.
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