Our View

Our View

Still sorting through medical marijuana mess

There appears there are some state lawmakers trying to make it tough on this voter-approved Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment as they lay the foundation on who can grow the wacky weed, who can sell it and how this stuff can be used.

While it is unknown whether or not a couple of tough “pot” bills will make it through the legislative process, it was certainly interesting to learn of separate bills that would actually prohibit the smoking of marijuana and limit the ability of dispensaries to grow “pot” plants.

You see, lawmakers are perplexed as how Arkansas will rule, regulate and control this new law that says Arkansans with a number of diseases and medical issues can “toke up” as an alternative to conventional drugs.

Naturally, the author of the amendment that voters approved, are crying foul over the proposed measures saying they are “against the will of the people and will damage the economic viability of the program.”

During discussion of the pair of bills Rep. Douglas House, R-North Little Rock, came out saying he does not believe dispensaries should be prevented from growing “pot” in their retail outlets. Seems House is under the belief that if you limit the supply, the price goes up. If the price goes up, people are going to buy it on the street and not going to buy it at the legal retail outlets that want to make a profit of their own.

Seems Rep. Robin Lundstrum, R-Elm Springs, wants to outright outlaw smoking the marijuana. Her house bill would prevent “pot” in food and drink unless it’s needed to aid ingestion, and another bill would all city councils and quorum courts to outlaw medical marijuana facilities.

Under the amendment, cities and counties could outlaw “pot” outlets and cultivation facilities with a vote of the people.

Then there is a Senate bill being sponsored by Sen.

Jason Rapert, R-Bigalow, that calls for banning the smoking of medical marijuana, which naturally drew sharp response from Little Rock-based lawyer David Counch.

Rapert has filed Senate Bill 238, which would halt implementation of the state “pot” program until 189 days after the federal government changes the law to allow it. As we are all aware, “pot” is illegal under federal law regardless of how it is used.

We all know that banning smoking this stuff will lliterally close down the retail “pot” outlets as will as the legal dispensaries resulting in “pot” users buying their illegal “pot” from drug dealers on the streets.

Rapert was quick to say, “I’m not in the business of trying to make sure that marijuana stays in business.

I’m in the business of trying to protect the people of Arkansas.”

Well Mr. Rapert, the fact of the matter is the people you are supposedly trying to protect are the very ones who went to the polls and approved this “pot” amendment.