Last update: October 26, 2010

Sen. Randy Laverty likely to introduce medical marijuana legislation in 2011

One of the pleasant surprises of the marijuana policy reform efforts in 2010 was the introduction of medical marijuana legislation in parts of the country where there have been all too few medical marijuana bills. States like Mississippi, Kansas, Tennessee, and Alabama each saw comprehensive legislation offered to protect patients from arrest and establish government regulated distribution of medical marijuana. Not only were bills introduced; in Alabama and Tennessee advocates were able to secure winning committee votes. Now it appears Arkansas will likely enter the mix in 2011.

In response to an article detailing the enormous fiscal costs of Arkansas??s overcrowded prisons ("Inmates stacked to the walls," Arkansas Times, November 5, 2009), state Sen. Randy Laverty has said he intends to introduce medical marijuana legislation in the upcoming session of the Arkansas General Assembly. As those of us fighting to reform our broken marijuana laws often say, ??if we??re going to have a War on Drugs, let??s at least get the sick and dying off the battlefield.? Laverty??s bid may not be a long shot either. A full eight years ago a University of Arkansas poll showed 63% of Arkansans in support of medical marijuana, with just 32% opposed. And medical marijuana is assuredly more popular today, with national polls showing support as high as 81%.

So what can you do to help? First and foremost we need patients to get involved. If you or someone you know is suffering from a serious illness and could benefit from such a law, please send us an e-mail. If you are a law enforcement officer, physician, or clergy member, you too can have a powerful impact on the debate. And no matter your background, you can go to our take action page for help with contacting your legislator or writing letters to the editor.

That is great news! thank you for that link. Good luck.

Arkansas is the keystone to this area that I live in now. If they can pass a good medical use law there, then they can pass one in my state and any other in this area. Best of all, they are attempting to pass legislation the old fashion way, thru the legislative branch. :jointsmile:

only one or two states that I know of have ever done that, the rest have been thru voter sponsored initiatives. here's a hint on the one that I know ... Aloha! Arkansas would be in an elite class if they can do this, but yeah ... I'll believe it when I see it.

Good Luck!!