Status Report: Where Things Stand

The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Campaign
Status Report

Phase I –
Started in 1999, a petition drive began gathering signatures. If enough signatures were gathered, the proposed law allowing legal medical use would have been voted on at the next general election. The sponsoring organization, Alliance for Reform of Drug Policy in Arkansas, Inc. (ARDPArk), has gathered over 5000 signatures toward the July 2002 deadline. But with exciting new developments, ARDPArk has terminated the petition campaign to throw all support and resources into promising legislation!

YOUR ACTION: Return any petitions with signatures to ARDPArk ASAP.

Phase II –
Early in 2002, Senator John Riggs IV announced he would sponsor a medical marijuana bill in the upcoming session of the Arkansas Legislature (convenes January 2003). He has filed a request for hearing on the issue. This means – we hope – that the Senate and House Public Health Committees will schedule a meeting this summer to hear from patients, experts, and other supporters. ARDPArk volunteers will raise money to educate the public about this important issue.

YOUR ACTION: Contact your legislators IMMEDIATELY and let him/her know that you support this legislation. If you don't know who they are, call your County Clerk. Write letters to the editor, talk to friends, and help raise money for the campaign.

Phase III –
This is an election year when every legislator in Arkansas is running for office. After the May 17 primary election, the final candidates will be known. From then until the election in November, we can build support for medical marijuana by making it a campaign issue.

YOUR ACTION: Get to know the candidates. Call, write, visit, and go to campaign events. Build a relationship with the candidates. Help them learn about this issue.

Phase IV –
After the election, new public health committee members will be chosen. There is a chance for a medical marijuana hearing by the new committees before the legislature convenes in January. Since this issue is so complex and so controversial, such a hearing would help tremendously. Once the legislature convenes, legislators are so busy they won't devote a lot of time to learning about this issue.

YOUR ACTION: Let your newly elected representatives know that a December hearing is vital.

Phase V –
From January through March 2003, Arkansas legislators must take care of the state's business needs of the coming two years. Much will be on the table, everything from taxes to Medicaid to education. By learning about how the legislature works and by building a relationship with your legislators in advance, you can be a critical link in this endeavor. What you learn can be shared with your friends, co-workers, and family members.

YOUR ACTION: When you receive notice this fall from ARDPArk about training as a citizen lobbyist, sign up. When you receive your email or mail Action Alert about legislative hearings, be prepared to participate. Don't wait to talk with your representatives – talk nice and talk often.