The following is a press release from Ryan Denham with Arkansans for Compassionate Care, the sponsors of the Medical Cannabis Act (issue 7).
Issue 7 removed from ballot by State Supreme Court – ACC vows to keep fighting for patients rights.
Issue 7 redirects thousands of grassroots volunteers to support both initiatives
This morning the Supreme Court of Arkansas handed down their decision in CV-16-185, disqualifying the Arkansas Medical Cannabis Act for vote.
There are a lot of questions, but here’s what you need to know right now:
ACC needed valid signatures from 8 percent of the voters in the last gubernatorial general election; 67,887 signatures of registered voters are required in order for the Ballot Measure to be placed on the November 8, 2016, general election ballot. Of the 117, 547 signatures submitted, 77, 516 were validated by the Arkansas Secretary of State. Kara Benca needed to invalidate 9,629 to have issue 7 removed from the ballot. It is important to note that because the Arkansans for Compassionate Care had more than the number of required signatures at the time of submission and validation, they were not allowed to continue collecting.
It is painfully clear that Arkansas has work ahead to improve health care considerations for the sick and dying in our state. There is no denying that the combination of big money and strategic use of the law have been determining factors in this decision, but we are the good guys here, and as compassionate Arkansans, we need to consider what’s best for patients. The sponsors of the Arkansas Medical Cannabis Act will appeal this decision, but the priority for compassionate Arkansans is and has always been that patients have safe access to medical cannabis.
We encourage Arkansans to take a stand for democracy using your vote as your voice for yes to medical cannabis patients to vote yes on both Issue 7 and Issue 6, ensuring that there will be lawful protection for medical cannabis patients.
”It’s not easy reversing 80 years of cannabis prohibition. ACC placed a medical cannabis law on the ballot in 2012 and we were narrowly defeated. We came back with an army of volunteers and successfully placed Issue 7 on the ballot. We’ve been up against many hurdles including the Governor, Attorney General, Surgeon General, a competing campaign and two lawsuits. We will keep fighting, ensure that no patient faces arrest for using a safe and effective medicine, whether that protection comes from Issue 6 or Issue 7.” said Ryan Denham, Deputy Director of Issue 7.
Onward,
Ryan Denham
P.S. Issue 7 removed from ballot. While we fight this, ACC urges all voters to vote YES on Issue 6 & Issue 7. Please Share!
http://www.arcompassion.com/
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The Arkansas Medical Cannabis Act · PO Box 420, Hensely, AR 72065, United States
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