Cannabis In Arkansas
The history of the legalization of cannabis in Arkansas is a long and complicated one. The plant has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties. It was not until the early 20th century that it began to be used recreationally. Cannabis was first made illegal in Arkansas in 1923, but this did not stop people from using it. In fact, use of the drug increased during the years leading up to World War II. It was not until after the war that public opinion began to change and cannabis became more accepted.
Cannabis remained illegal in Arkansas until 2016, when voters approved a ballot measure to legalize medical marijuana. This was a major victory for advocates of legalization, but it did not come without opposition. Some lawmakers argued that medical marijuana would lead to increased use of recreational drugs. While others said that it would take away business from established medical providers.
Despite these concerns, the measure passed with 53% of the vote. Since then, there has been a lot of progress made towards full legalization of cannabis in Arkansas. In 2019, lawmakers approved a bill that would allow adults 21 and over to possess up to an ounce of marijuana for personal use. The bill also created a system for regulating and taxing commercial sales of cannabis. However, Governor Asa Hutchinson vetoed the bill, saying that he did not believe that Arkansans were ready for full legalization yet.
Moving Forward
Despite this setback, advocates remain optimistic about eventually achieving their goal. They point to polls showing increasing support for legalization among Arkansans as well as other states across the country who have already made progress on this issue. With time and continued education on the benefits of cannabis reform, they are confident that Arkansas will eventually join them in legalizing this important plant once and for all.
