Supporters trumpet in-state donations, social justice plan at Little Rock event November 1, 2022 By Griffin Coop Supporters of Issue 4 gathered in downtown Little Rock Tuesday to tout their legalization efforts, push back on remarks the governor and some business leaders made a day earlier and announce a plan to address social justice as it relates to cannabis. Governor Asa Hutchinson and leaders of several Arkansas business associations denounced cannabis at an event at the state Chamber of Commerce Monday and stoked fears of an imperiled workforce. Lance Huey, a former Grant County sheriff and vice-chair of Responsible Growth Arkansas, said Tuesday that the group “doesn’t want anyone impaired on the job,” according to a report from Talk Business and Politics. Huey also said the Arkansas Adult Use Cannabis Amendment would support law enforcement and allow officers to to pursue serious crimes, not low-level misdemeanors. The amendment would eliminate the taxes on medical marijuana and impose a 10% on recreational marijuana sales with 15% of that tax revenue dedicated to funding a stipend for certified law enforcement officers. Huey also criticized the out-of-state money that is supporting the opposition campaigns, while Responsible Growth’s campaign is mostly funded by in-state sources. Responsible Growth announced Tuesday it has raised more than $13 million during the campaign. The Talk Business report and press release from Responsible Growth note the group has plans to address social justice concerns as it relates to cannabis. The amendment has been criticized by some for not addressing social justice or offering expungements for past marijuana-related crimes. At Tuesday’s press conference, RGA also revealed that it is working on a detailed plan to tackle restorative justice to those who are incarcerated for possession of marijuana. The group said the proposal will include expungement for minor marijuana offenses and they hope to pass a new law in the upcoming legislative session. Issue 4 does not address this aspect of marijuana convictions. The press release from Responsible Growth also addressed the topic. In addition to its efforts to pass Issue 4, Responsible Growth Arkansas is formulating a detailed plan to tackle restorative justice, including expungement for minor marijuana offenses, in the upcoming legislative session. Also speaking at the Tuesday press conference were Harvest Cannabis Dispensary Executive Director Robbin Rahman, former state legislator and chair of Responsible Growth Arkansas Eddie Armstrong, Abaca CEO Dan Roda and Greenlight Little Rock General Manager Ginger Henson.
