84 Arkansas lawmakers announce opposition to medical marijuana measures; one raises alternative plan

Faced with two ballot proposals giving Arkansas voters the choice to legalize medical marijuana next month, state Rep. Dan Douglas, R-Bentonville, said Monday it is time the legislature take steps to offer some leeway in legalizing the medicinal benefits of cannabis.

During a news conference announcing a coalition of 84 members of the General Assembly who oppose Issues 6 and 7, which are competing plans to allow the sale of medicinal marijuana, Douglas promised to offer legislation next year which would allow certain strains of marijuana containing low volumes of THC but higher concentrations of cannabidiol oil.

Cannabidiol oil, Douglas said, is believed by some to have medicinal value in alleviating symptoms from seizures and epilepsy. THC is what gets a user high, Douglas said.

Douglas said he believes his proposal would take away the incentive for pro-medical marijuana groups to make further attempts at getting the drug legalized by voters.

A previous attempt to legalize medical marijuana was put before Arkansas voters in 2012, and it narrowly failed with 49 percent of the vote. The lawmakers who voiced their opposition Monday said they expect a similarly tight vote this year.

Read Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

Lawmakers who oppose ballot proposals legalizing use of medical marijuana

Speaker Jeremy Gillam

Rep. Andy Davis

Rep. Bob Ballinger

Rep. Brandt Smith

Rep. Brent Talley

Rep. Bruce Cozart

Rep. Charlene Fite

Rep. Charles Armstrong

Rep. Charlie Collins

Rep. Charlotte Vining Douglas

Rep. Dan Douglas

Rep. Dan Sullivan

Rep. Dave Wallace

Rep. David Branscum

Rep. David Meeks

Rep. Deborah Ferguson

Rep. Donnie Copeland

Rep. Douglas House

Rep. Gary Deffenbaugh

Rep. Grant Hodges

Rep. James Ratliff

Rep. James Sturch

Rep. Jana Della Rosa

Rep. Jim Dotson

Rep. Joe Farrer

Rep. Joe Jett

Rep. John Baine

Rep. John Payton

Rep. Josh Miller

Rep. Julie Mayberry

Rep. Justin Gonzales

Rep. Justin Harris

Rep. Karilyn Brown

Rep. Ken Bragg

Rep. Kim Hammer

Rep. Kim Hendren

Rep. Lance Eads

Rep. Lane Jean

Rep. Lanny Fite

Rep. Laurie Rushing

Rep. Les Eaves

Rep. Marcus Richmond

Rep. Mark Lowery

Rep. Mary Bentley

Rep. Michelle Gray

Rep. Mickey Gates

Rep. Monte Hodges

Rep. Nate Bell

Rep. Nelda Speaks

Rep. Prissy Hickerson

Rep. Rebecca Petty

Rep. Richard Womack

Rep. Robin Lundstrum

Rep. Ron McNair

Rep. Stephen Meeks

Rep. Steve Magie, M.D.

Rep. Tim Lemons

Rep. Trevor Drown

Senator Alan Clark

Senator Bart Hester

Senator Blake Johnson

Senator Bruce Maloch

Senator Cecile Bledsoe

Senator David Burnett

Senator David Sanders

Senator Eddie Cheatham

Senator Eddie Joe Williams

Senator Gary Stubblefield

Senator Greg Standridge

Senator Jake Files

Senator Jane English

Senator Jason Rapert

Senator Jeremy Hutchinson

Senator Jim Hendren

Senator Jimmy Hickey

Senator John Cooper

Senate President Pro Tempore Jonathan Dismang

Senator Larry Teague

Senator Linda Collins-Smith

Senator Missy Irvin

Senator Ron Caldwell

Senator Scott Flippo

Senator Terry Rice

Senator Uvalde Lindsey

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