Public Policy Center | uaex.uada.edu/ballot
February 2024
Medical Marijuana Supporters Looking To Expand Access Via 2024 Ballot
Arkansas voters approved the creation of a medical marijuana program in 2016. Sponsors of a proposed constitutional amendment are seeking to expand that program to more people in 2024.

Attorney General Tim Griffin certified the wording of the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2024 earlier this month. The Attorney General Opinion prepared by Assistant Attorney General William Olson removed the word "cannabis" from the title and inserted "marijuana" instead.

That change and a few more tweaks means Arkansans for Patient Access can now collect voter signatures to qualify the proposal for the November ballot. However, sponsors submitted an updated version of the proposed amendment on Feb. 22 to incorporate some of the suggested changes from the Attorney General's Office opinion. The Attorney General's Office has 10 business days to issue an opinion on the latest version.

The proposal from Arkansans for Patient Access would expand who qualifies for a medical marijuana card and would allow nurse practitioners and other levels of medical staff to certify people for the state-issued cards. If passed, the amendment also would allow card holders in Arkansas to grow marijuana plants at home. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, which currently oversees the program, would be responsible for determining those rules of the program.

People purchased 62,227 pounds of medical marijuana from the state's 38 dispensaries in 2023, spending $283 million, according to the Department of Finance and Administration. Taxes on the sales has generated $123 million in state tax revenue.

Into the Weeds on Our Blog
Sponsors of seven potential ballot issues are approved for collecting voter signatures.

Our voter guide on the Arkansas statewide ballot issues will be online in September after we know what measures qualify for the ballot. Until then, we have created individual blog posts on each of the certified ballot issues with links to publicly available information.








You can also find information about Issue 1, a proposed amendment referred by the Legislature to expand lottery scholarships, at uaex.uada.edu/issue1.

How Many Voter Signatures Are Needed?
To qualify for a spot on the November ballot, ballot issue groups seeking constitutional amendments must collect at least 90,704 signatures from Arkansas registered voters. Sponsors of an Act, or a state law, must collect at least 72,563 voter signatures. A certain percentage of those signatures must come from at least 50 of the state's 75 counties.

By signing a petition, a voter is expressing support for the issue to be on the ballot for voters to decide. The deadline to submit petitions is July 5, 2024.

Have Questions?
What are you wondering about these potential ballot issues? Have specific questions? Share those questions with us via this anonymous space.
Ballot Issue Lawsuits
Two lawsuits are underway involving 2024 ballot issues.

A lawsuit over the new requirement to collect voter signatures in 50 counties - up from 15 counties - continues in Pulaski County Circuit Court.

The state has asked for the case to be dismissed while the plaintiffs, Sen. Bryan King and the League of Women Voters, have asked Judge Herbert Wright to find the new law unconstitutional. Wright held a hearing in the case on Feb. 26. His decision is now pending.


Supporters of using paper ballots in Arkansas elections filed a lawsuit earlier this month at the Arkansas Supreme Court also seeking to find the new county signature requirement unconstitutional. Conrad Reynolds and the Arkansas Voter Integrity Initiative also want the Supreme Court to void a law that returned the ballot title review process back to the Attorney General's Office. Briefs are due March 19.

On the 2024 Ballot - From the Legislature
For the first time since 1986, Arkansas legislators referred only one constitutional amendment to voters.

Issue 1 - A constitutional amendment to provide that lottery proceeds may be used to fund or provide scholarships and grants to Arkansas citizens enrolled in vocational-technical schools and technical institutes. The current law only includes two-year and four-year colleges and universities.
Citizens Proposals for 2024 Ballot
Arkansas is one of 15 states where citizens have the right to put constitutional amendments, state laws and referendums on the ballot for voters to decide.

The citizen initiative process involves (1) filing a ballot title with the Attorney General's Office, (2) collecting voter signatures across the state, and (3) submitting signatures to the Secretary of State's Office for verification.

Referendums require voter signatures equaling 6% of the number of people who voted in the last governor's election. State laws require 8%, and constitutional amendments require 10%

Attorney General Opinions
The Attorney General is responsible for reviewing the title and text of potential ballot issues from the public. Ballot issue groups can collect voter signatures only after the Attorney General verifies the ballot title and popular name honestly, intelligibly and fairly describe the purpose of a proposed constitutional amendment or act. The AG's Office releases opinions either approving or rejecting ballot titles.

Access Our Full List: Tracking 2024 Arkansas Ballot Issues

Recently Rejected Citizen Initiative Ballot Titles

  • Feb. 8, 2024 - Educational Rights Amendment of 2024 - A proposal to require every school receiving public funds meet the same academic and accreditation standards was rejected because of ambiguities in the ballot title, according to Opinion No. 2024-019. Barry Jefferson of Little Rock submitted the proposed amendment.

  • Feb. 20, 2024 - An Amendment to Amend the Initiative And Referendum Process - A proposal regarding the state's ballot initiative process was rejected because of ambiguities in the text related to the state Supreme Court, according to Opinion No. 2024-026. David Couch of Little Rock submitted the proposed amendment.

  • Feb. 27, 2024 - A Bill to remove additional excise taxes on tobacco and tobacco products, other than those imposed by Tobacco Products Act of 1977 - A proposed state law to remove taxes on tobacco products was rejected because the title was misleading and did not inform voters of its full effect, according to Opinion No. 2024-031. David Dinwiddie of Pine Bluff submitted the proposed law.


Approved Citizen Initiative Ballot Titles

  • Oct. 10, 2023 - An Act to Exempt Feminine Hygiene Products and Diapers from Sales and Use Tax - A proposal to exempt period products and diapers from local and state sales tax was approved for signature gathering, according to Opinion No. 2023-092. David Couch of Little Rock submitted the proposed law.

  • Jan. 12, 2024 - Absentee Voting Amendment of 2024 - A proposal that would in part allow only the voter to handle their absentee ballot, and would also prohibit online voting, was approved for signature gathering, according to Opinion No. 2023-132. Clinton Lancaster of Little Rock submitted the proposed amendment.

  • Jan. 23, 2024 - Arkansas Abortion Amendment of 2024 - A proposal that would allow abortion was approved for signature gathering, according to Opinion No. 2024-004. Steven Nichols of Little Rock submitted the proposed amendment

  • Jan. 24, 2024 - The Arkansas Government Disclosure Amendment of 2024 - A proposed constitutional amendment related to public meetings, notices and records was approved for signature gathering, according to Opinion No. 2024-005. David Couch of Little Rock and Jen Standerfer of Bentonville submitted the proposed amendment.

  • Jan. 29, 2024 - The Arkansas Government Disclosure Act of 2024 - A proposal regarding public records, notices and meetings, along with the creation of a new commission, according to Opinion No. 2024-20. David Couch of Little Rock and Jen Standerfer of Bentonville submitted the proposed law.

  • Feb. 2, 2024 - The Arkansas Historic or Special Interest Vehicle Act of 2024 - A proposal to change when a vehicle can qualify for antique license plates was approved for signature gathering, according to Opinion No. 2024-017. David Dinwiddie of Pine Bluff submitted the proposed law.

  • Feb. 20, 2024 - Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2024 - A proposal to expand the state's medical marijuana program was approved for signature gathering, according to Opinion No. 2024-028. Erika Gee of Little Rock submitted the proposed amendment.
PPC in the Media
Below is a selection of recent Public Policy Center media coverage.

Magnolia Reporter
Homemade dog treats are a popular item at farmers markets. However, the Food Freedom Act does not apply to the sale of these treats. The Magnolia Reporter republished a blog post this month by the Public Policy Center.
Voter Education Resources
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Blog
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Ballot Issue Tracker
Links to AG Opinions for 2024 ballot

Archive
Research past Arkansas ballot issues in our Archive

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The Public Policy Center was established in 2004 to provide Arkansans with timely, credible, unaligned and research-based information and education about public issues. Public issues are defined as pressing and emerging issues that involve multiple points of view and have widespread consequences.

Our goals are to:
  • Increase citizen knowledge, awareness and understanding of public issues;
  • Enhance public participation in decisions regarding public issues, and
  • Help citizens craft, evaluate and implement alternative solutions to public issues.

We are part of the Community, Professional and Economic Development unit at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service in Little Rock.

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