Most Counties Approve of Arkansas’ Medical Marijuana Program

Local officials are questioning how to implement the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Law in a responsible and legal way. Some cities and counties are welcoming to the idea of medical marijuana businesses since the state requires in-state production for dispensing in state lines. For instance, Fayetteville’s mayor is looking forward to job creation and the tax revenue.

Some localities are proposing medical marijuana bans, and residents don’t seem to mind, according to Arkansas Online. This leaves residents split with officials. Amendment 98 passed with 53.11-percent of the vote in November.

Seventy-five counties voted with 38-counties supporting Amendment 98.

Cleveland County judge Gary Spears said, “Here at the county, we give drug tests. Now, how is that going to affect us? Say one of our people goes to a doctor and tells them they’ve got pain and they authorize that they can get it. How is that going to affect their job if they take a drug test and it shows up in their system? Another question in this is how this is going to affect [commercial] truck drivers.”

He also said, “If you go out and drink and drive, they’ve got a Breathalyzer test to tell whether you’re intoxicated. How do they tell that if you’re under the influence of marijuana? There are a lot of questions that need to be answered in my opinion before they actually start prescribing the drug.”

Twenty-five of 51 proposed medical marijuana bills were made law in Arkansas. The 25 approved laws will be consolidated into one. The new law will be called Act 593.

Act 593 includes language for employers, answering Judge Spears’ questions. Employers can prohibit workers from possessing, using and being under the influence of marijuana during work hours. Positive test results are not means for firing, unless the employee is proved to be under the influence while working.

Jonesboro’s City Attorney Carol Duncan reports that the city has already started working on updating employee handbooks. It’s also working on zoning rules for medical marijuana facilities too.

Arkansas will be a reciprocating state – with restrictions. Out-of-state patients have to certify that they have a qualifying condition that is on Arkansas’ list.