Group looking to expand medical marijuana access in Arkansas expects success in November – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A group looking to make some changes to medical marijuana access under Amendment 98 of the state constitution is one step closer to its goal, after the most recent approval from Attorney General Tim Griffin of their last submission.

Arkansans for Patient Access is behind the measure and received approval from Griffin this week for their latest version of the measure. If approved by voters, it would change the current medical marijuana law and increase access for patients.

Currently, the role is limited to doctors, but this proposal would add nurse practitioners, physicians assistants and pharmacists.

The medical condition qualifications in the current law would also be broadened to include whatever a health care practitioner feels is debilitating for a patient and could be treated with marijuana.

Medical marijuana cards would also expire after three years under the proposal, instead of the current one-year limit. The measure would also add two years until expiration for current cardholders. 

“It gives more access, easier process, longer cards,” Melissa Fults with Arkansas Cannabis Alliance said. “It’s just going to be a better program.”