Marijuana Support Drops In Arkansas, Fentanyl Seizure 'Enough To Wipe Out Entire County, Weed Safer Than Booze & Tobacco

Support For Marijuana Drops In This State

In August, Arkansas state officials announced that a proposed ballot measure to legalize recreational cannabis received enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot.

However, the State Board of Election Commissioners then proceeded to turn down the initiative from Responsible Growth Arkansas. The Arkansas Supreme Court ruled in September that voters can decide whether to legalize recreational cannabis, after all, overturning a decision by the Board of Election Commissioners.

While support among Arkansans was substantial initially despite powerful opposition from the state's governor and conservative officials who attempt to convince voters to say 'NO' to the cannabis legalization initiative, as midterms approach, the sentiment is changing.

A new survey by Talk Business & Politics-Hendrix College revealed that support has dropped, with roughly 51% of those asked saying they support the cannabis measure. On the contrary, the number of those who are against it is on the rise, as evidenced by 37% of poll participants who said they oppose the cannabis policy reform, reported Marijuana Moment.

Meanwhile, in addition to Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) and U.S. Sens. Tom Cotton (R-AR) and John Boozman (R-AR), who are tireless in urging voters to vote against the legalization measure, David Couch, the attorney behind the state's medical marijuana amendment, is working to defeat recreational cannabis legalization efforts as well.

Jerry Cox, executive director of the church-based Family Council Action Committee recently revealed that the committee has distributed roughly a half-million flyers undermining the efforts of marijuana activists. Couch is currently touring the state and meeting with church groups, chambers of commerce, as well as other groups and organizations that are against the proposed marijuana policy change.

SC Police Drug Raid Seizes 'Enough Fentanyl To Kill The Entire Population Of York County'

In a Monday news conference, York County Sheriff Kevin R. Tolson addressed the opioid and fentanyl crisis, which is raging across the country.

"What sits before you is enough fentanyl to kill the entire population of York County," he said pointing at a table full of fentanyl which officers recently seized.

Tolson added that more needs to be done to discourage drug dealers.

Solicitor Kevin Brackett agreed, saying, "we're hampered because we can't get laws that will hold people accountable."

Investigators said they seized around 30,531 grams of fentanyl, 2869 grams of cocaine, 704 grams of methamphetamine, 454 grams of marijuana, four firearms, and seven pill presses used to produce illegal pills.

The opioid crisis in the U.S. has reached unprecedented and shocking numbers – 100,000 overdose deaths over the last year. To that end, the Justice Department signaled earlier this year that it might consider safe drug consumption sites.

Last year, New York City became the first in the nation to open two overdose prevention centers (OPC) where people can use addictive drugs and receive medical care and services.

Americans Say Marijuana Is Safer Than Alcohol & Tobacco

A new poll published on Monday by Monmouth University revealed that most Americans think that alcohol (54%) and tobacco (48%) are more dangerous than cannabis.

The new survey builds on a recent YouGov survey that showed that nearly one-third of 10 000 surveyed Americans said they think it would be ideal if people used more marijuana and less liquor.

In addition, nearly two-thirds of those asked said they backed cannabis legalization and President Joe Biden's recent move regarding marijuana possession pardons.

Democrats are the loudest in support of legalization (76%), followed by independents (73%) and Republicans (52%).

"Polling from a variety of sources shows that support for marijuana legalization has been increasing consistently over the past twenty years," said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute. "Biden's action is in line with how most Americans feel about this issue."

VI Lawmakers Present Two Marijuana Reform Bills

The two long-awaited measures to legalize recreational cannabis and expunge marijuana convictions in the Virgin Islands were published on Monday, reported St. John Source.

The 69-page document that seeks to legalize marijuana is sponsored by Sen. Janelle Sarauw, who is also behind the other measure.

"This act is intended to strengthen the support intended to benefit local farmers, small business owners, medicinal and sacramental users, and the tourism industry by recognizing cultural and sacramental uses, creating business ownership and financial opportunities for local Virgin Islanders, increasing revenue to the Government of the VI by enabling sales to tourists," the bill stipulates.

Sarauw wrote in a statement, "it has been a very cumbersome process to get these bills to where they are today."

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. introduced his version of the Cannabis Use Act in 2019 and 2020.

Interestingly, gubernatorial candidate Sen. Kurt Vialet who is running alongside Sarauw to replace Bryan and Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach in this fall's election is not supporting marijuana legalization.  

In addition, a measure to clear records of those convicted of cannabis-related crimes would cover anyone caught with less than two ounces.

Photo: Benzinga Edit, Source: Shutterstock