LITTLE ROCK (KFSM) — After the Arkansas Supreme Court struck down the Medical Cannabis Act, also known as Issue 7, Thursday (Oct. 27) the group Arkansans for Compassionate Care, which wrote the measure, is urging voters to vote for the other medical marijuana measure that is still on the ballot.
Issue 6, known as the Medical Marijuana Amendment, withstood a petition against it earlier this month.
In a statement, Arkansans for Compassionate Care encouraged voters to vote for Issue 6 to ensure there will be lawful protection for medical cannabis patients. The group also encouraged voters to continue casting their votes for Issue 7 in the event the Supreme Court’s decision is overturned on appeal.
Deputy Director of Issue 7 Ryan Denham issued this statement:
“It’s not easy reversing 80 years of cannabis prohibition. ACC placed a medical cannabis law on the ballot in 2012 and we were narrowly defeated. We came back with an army of volunteers and successfully placed Issue 7 on the ballot. We’ve been up against many hurdles including the Governor, Attorney General, Surgeon General, a competing campaign and two lawsuits. We will keep fighting, ensure that no patient faces arrest for using a safe and effective medicine, whether that protection comes from Issue 6 or Issue 7.”
There are several differences between Issue 6 and Issue 7, they are outlined below:
| Issue 6 | Issue 7 | |
| Title | Medical Marijuana Amendment | Medical Cannabis Act |
| Changes to law | Adds amendment to Arkansas Constitution | Adds Chapter 65 to Arkansas Code Title 20 |
| Qualifying conditions | 17 qualifying conditions | 56 qualifying conditions |
| Grow-your-own provision | Does not allow patients to grow own plants | Does allow patients to grow own plants |
| Amount distributed | Dispensaries can distribute up to 2.5 ounces per patient every 14 days | Dispensaries can distribute up to 2.5 ounces per patient every 15 days |
| Local prohibition | Voters can prohibit dispensaries in local communities | No provision for local prohibition |
| Regulating agency for patients | The Arkansas Department of Health | The Arkansas Department of Health |
| Regulating agency for dispensaries | A new Medical Marijuana Commission and the Alcohol Beverage Control | The Arkansas Department of Health |
| Dispensary nonprofit requirement | No requirements | Required |
| Revenue allocation | Revenue allocated to cover administration costs; remaining revenue: 50% to Vocational and Technical Training Special Revenue Fund, 30% to the General Fund, 10% to the workforce training programs, 5% to the Department of Health, 4% to Alcoholic Beverage Control administrative and enforcement division, 1% to the Medical Marijuana Commission | Revenue allocated to cover administration costs and, of the remaining revenue, provide medical cannabis to low-income qualifying patients |
