Graphic: arcompassion.org
Supporters of a proposal to legalize marijuana in Arkansas for medicinal purposes have until Aug. 13 to submit 26,012 signatures needed to put the measure to a vote in the Nov. 6 general election.
The group, Arkansas for Compassionate Care, submitted over 65,000 signatures, of which only 36,495 belong to registered voters. The group needs a total of 62,507 signatures to place the proposal on the ballot.
The original deadline for submitting signatures was July 6, but organizers have an extra 30 days to try and make up for any invalidated names.
Despite having nearly 29,000 invalid signatures thrown out by the secretary of state’s office, the group still believes a major hurdle has been cleared.
“Our volunteers have been working across the state to meet the deadline. They’ve done a great job—and they’re ready for the next challenge,” said Melissa Fults, a volunteer and spokesperson for Arkansas for Compassionate Care. “All of us remain committed to digging in and gathering enough additional signatures to ensure this initiative is on the ballot in November.”
A post on the group’s website indicates they’ll be collecting signatures every day of the week through the Aug. 13 deadline, but that a major petitioning event is planned on July 28 in several locations across the state.
Aside from active drive events, the group lists 17 locations in Arkansas where registered voters may sign the petition including three locations in Fayetteville – Natures Water on Huntsville Road, Sound Warehouse on Block Avenue and Century Butterfly on Mt. Comfort Road.
