Voters reject medical marijuana proposal
By Staff and wire report
This article was originally published November 6, 2012 at 9:14 a.m. Updated November 6, 2012 at 1:38 a.m.
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LITTLE ROCK — Voters have rejected a proposal to legalize medical marijuana in Arkansas.
The proposal's backers wanted Arkansas to become the first Southern state to legalize such sales. But conservative groups challenged the measure, saying the proposal didn't clearly state that medical marijuana users could face the risk of prosecution because the drug is illegal.
With 91 percent of precincts reporting at 1:30 a.m., 52 percent of voters cast ballots against the measure.
The measure would have allowed patients with qualifying conditions — including cancer, AIDS and Alzheimer's disease — to buy marijuana from nonprofit dispensaries with a doctor's recommendation. It also would have allowed qualifying patients or a designated caregiver to grow marijuana if the patient lives more than five miles from a dispensary.
Arkansans for Compassionate Care gathered more than 62,000 signatures to get the measure on the ballot and successfully defended the proposal in court.
Jerry Cox, president of the Family Council, which opposed the measure, watched results come in at the Embassy Suites in west Little Rock. He said throughout the night that he was "cautiously optimistic" the measure would be defeated, though the race remained close into early Wednesday.
"That gap has been widening slightly as the evening has gone on," Cox said earlier Tuesday night. "Not to call it a trend, but it does bode well for the defeat of this measure."
Arkansans for Compassionate Care, the group that pushed to get the measure on the ballot, contended the drug could help alleviate pain for patients with certain conditions and diseases including cancer, glaucoma and HIV.
The group said dozens of doctors around the state supported its efforts to allow.
Cox's Family Council - which ran a campaign asserting passage would lead to abuse - noted a number of physicians opposed it, including the Arkansas Medical Society. That group represents more than 4,300 doctors and medical students across the state.
Earlier in the day, voters expressed divided opinion on the matter.
Mark Mariner, a 50-year-old operator technician with a utility company, said he voted against the medical marijuana proposal because there are plenty of prescription pain medicines and marijuana is "just another illegal drug they're trying to make legal."
He said it would almost certainly lead to abuse if passed.
"I know it would," he said with a chuckle shortly after casting his ballot at Henderson United Methodist Church. "Look at alcohol. They made it legal, and look at how much trouble we have with alcohol."
April Moore, a 37-year-old program administrator, said she believes marijuana should be legal beyond just medicinal use. But, she said, passing the medical provision wouldn't lead to that.
"Having it regulated and taxed would actually deter a lot of that," she said.
Comments on: Voters reject medical marijuana proposal
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jackrabbits1 says... November 6, 2012 at 10:23 a.m.
How is it that a ballot is cast at a "CHURCH". Doesn't anyone get it? SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.
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drs01 says... November 6, 2012 at 10:43 a.m.
Polling places have always been hard to secure. The charity of God loving people has been a bright spot on election days. What this shows it that churches are doing all they can to make democracy work for all of us. Thanks.
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Jfish says... November 6, 2012 at 10:57 a.m.
jack, the ballots were cast at a a building where a church meets. A church is actually made up of people, there is nothing spiritual or sacred about a building. If the church members were running or interfering with the process, that would be a different story.
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inquire says... November 6, 2012 at 11:22 a.m.
In our little town, the fire station, police station, and city hall are too small to accommodate an election without interfering with normal operations. The largest church in town is the best site, and they are willing. I disagree with them about much, but this is an example of them being beneficial to the community.
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somommabeach says... November 6, 2012 at 12:05 p.m.
Seriously, voting location has nothing to do with church and state.
The arguments from the "against" voters in this article are frustrating. Saying that current pain medications are plentiful and in the next breath worrying it will lead to abuse baffles me. What are the most addictive substances? Let's see, opiates and nicotine. But oh the evil marijuana. You stoners need to watch reefer madness again so you can be reminded of the dangers of the marijuana. And c'mon, it's always been known as a "drug substance" (what does that even mean?). Tha's a valid argument for sure.
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Drumroll says... November 6, 2012 at 12:21 p.m.
I voted yes on 5. Should be legal and handled like alcohol. Prohibition only makes the criminals rich. You think we would have learned something from the alcohol prohibition days.
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Libertarian says... November 6, 2012 at 12:32 p.m.
Unfortunately, even if passed, the expected new Republican majority would probably make reversing the law their first order of business when the legislature next meets. My wife would benefit from this herb for her cronic pain.
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Libertarian says... November 6, 2012 at 12:35 p.m.
I say a script should authorize you to grow up to 3 plants. Let the drug companies eat cake.
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ELKHUNTER says... November 6, 2012 at 1:24 p.m.
Unfortunately this will not pass. Those thousands whose careers have been funded by the failed war will see to that. Those that have invested billions to build 'for profit prisons' will see to that. Those 'families' making billions of dollars a year in Mexico will see to that. Even local drug dealers are voting against the measure that would destroy their livelihood. Nice try Arkansas but there is just too much money at stake to allow medical marijuana.
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SPA says... November 6, 2012 at 8:45 p.m.
I celebrate that it even got on the ballot. That in and of itself was a huge surprise for such a backward state. If it does not pass this election year, perhaps it will in the next.
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2531USMC says... November 6, 2012 at 9:11 p.m.
This issue is symbolic, even if were to pass it would still be illegal under federal law. But it is an important first step in putting an end to second biggest folly of morality control, the first being prohibition which failed miserably. We can thank the rise of organized crime to laws such as these.
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NoUserName says... November 6, 2012 at 9:25 p.m.
A LOT closer - at least at current numbers - than I ever expected. Imagine what would have happened if pharmacists didn't get their panties in a wad and imply that ADH couldn't regulate it or if a group of doctors could find their way to the NIDA site to learn about all the research that marijuana apparently never was a part of. Oh, and 'for the kids.'
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DontDrinkDatKoolAid says... November 6, 2012 at 10:25 p.m.
" SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE." No such thing in the Constitution.
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Pscyclepath says... November 6, 2012 at 10:41 p.m.
You must remember that it's "...evil, wicked, mean, and nasty! Don't step on the grass, Sam!"
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marilyngv says... November 6, 2012 at 11:25 p.m.
I am impressed with the citizens of arkansas...Jackrabbits, ARLibertarian, USMC, SPA, Elkhunter... Why do we have so many lucid intelligent people yet somehow 52% of the people are misinformed and these items dont get real consideration? Its always about choice- if you want drugs, you find them... better to legalize it cuz id rather keep my doors unlocked.
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wabbaseka says... November 7, 2012 at 12:38 a.m.
Bunch of ignorant hillbillies
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LETSBEREALISTIC says... November 7, 2012 at 6:42 a.m.
We just lost America and your worried about where you vote? The dump American electorate, America the Beautiful no more. Those that are retired need to worry, those that aren't forget it, those with health issues enjoy your physical pain and suffering because the stupid voters in America just sold us out!
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SPA says... November 7, 2012 at 7:33 a.m.
This is closer than I expected. Good deal! Next time, maybe, common sense will prevail. I believe that more and more Americans are beginning to realize that the so-called War on Drugs has not been successful, and that marijuana is no more of a problem than nicotine and alcohol.
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Indica says... November 7, 2012 at 5:13 p.m.
I'm so glad I live in California.... We get great organic Cannibus, where you Arkansas guys have to smoke that moldy mexican dirtweed. You deserve better.
Just a second while I spark a doobe of some chronic. Ah that's better. Now where was I, oh yeah. Too bad freedom doesn't extend to the south. At least the cops can feel self rightous taking tax money to but people for a personal choice.
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ELKHUNTER says... November 7, 2012 at 5:22 p.m.
Meanwhile the Mexican drug cartels in Washington state and Colorado are packin their bags for Arkansas.
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