Medical marijuana was legalized in Arkansas in 2016, with 53 percent of voters statewide supporting the measure.
In North Central Arkansas, the measure passed in Marion and Izard counties, while it failed in Baxter, Fulton, Stone, Searcy, Newton and Boone counties.
In Boone County, the group An American Speaks is working to keep medical marijuana out of that community.
KY3 television in Springfield reports Mike Bishop, the co-founder of An American Speaks and a Boone County resident, says his group is trying to give county residents a voice to place the initiative on the general election ballot, so they can decide in November whether they want to opt out of the marijuana amendment.
In order to do that, An American Speaks needs to get about 2,200 petition signatures from Boone County voters by mid-August. Bishop said people in other counties are looking into it as well.
Jackie Maddox, who lives in Harrison, said she believes residents should vote on it again.
The subject is a controversial one, with some saying they think the county should have its own vote, but with differing views on medical marijuana.
Dakota Denny, who lives in Boone County, says we don’t need drugs in any county, in any part of our country.
Maddox says she doesn’t believe in recreational marijuana, but she does believe in medical marijuana.
But others said they think the county should go along with the state’s overall decision on the medical marijuana amendment.
The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission has already awarded licenses to cultivation centers in the state, but none in Boone County. And now they are reviewing medical marijuana dispensaries.
Wanda French, who lives in Boone County, says as long as there are other accessible dispensaries, she can live with that. She says Boone County has been behind on so many things to her knowledge, so she thinks it will happen eventually.
Boone County residents can go to Real Ministries at 111 South Spring Street in Harrison on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. to sign the petition. Questions may be directed to (501) 725-0219.
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