Take action now against SB440 and SB441.
SB440 would BAN cannabis infused EDIBLES and beverages, except when administered in a hospital. Infused products are a crucial consumption method for medical cannabis patients. Call the committee members below and voice your opposition NOW.
SB441 would ban advertising, publicizing, promoting or marketing through broadcasting, online services, print services or billboards medical marijuana, the use of medical marijuana, or services associated with medical marijuana, including without limitation. This bill limits free speech, the will of the people, and patients access to information.
These bills are scheduled to be heard on THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28 at 10:00AM in front of Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Economic Development in Room 309 at the State Capitol. Please contact members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Economic Development and tell them why we oppose SB441. Links to members’ profiles below. Calls are the best method.
| Senator John Cooper | john.cooper@senate.ar.gov | 870.761.0130 |
| Senator Ricky Hill | Ricky.Hill@Senate.ar.gov | 501.286.2285 |
| Senator Eddie Cheatham | eddie.cheatham@senate.ar.gov | 870.364.5659 |
| Senator Blake Johnson | Blake.Johnson@senate.ar.gov | 870.323.1766 |
| Senator Bruce Maloch | bruce.maloch@senate.ar.gov | 870.235.7041 |
| Senator Matthew Pitsch | mathew.pitsch@senate.ar.gov | 479.883.2072 |
| Senator James Sturch | james.sturch@senate.ar.gov | 870.612.7589 |
| Senator David Wallace | David.Wallace@senate.ar.gov | 870.919.8046 |
WHAT SB440 DOES:
This bill would ban cannabis food and drink, aka “edibles”.
WHY WE OPPOSE:
- Arkansas’s Medical Marijuana Commission underwent thoughtful review to promulgate rules addressing the consumption of medical cannabis. During the promulgation period, rules were open to public comment and legislative review. This bill would undermine the rules established by the Medical Marijuana Commission and runs contrary to the law’s intent.
- SB440 restricts the market’s ability to differentiate in product leaving consumers with fewer choices. This bill restricts food and drink, leaving smoking or vaping the primary method of administering the medicine, with an oral pill as one of the main and only forms of orally consuming cannabis. For many patients, edible consumption is the safer way to take their medicine over smoking or vaping.
- A survey of 300 Arkansas cannabis patients revealed that edibles are the second preferred choice of administering their medicine, behind smokable flower and ahead of vaping.
- Limiting the market to only a few products is bad for patients and stifles the market and variety of products available.
WHAT SB441 DOES:
SB441 limits businesses’ ability to “advertise, publicize, promote, or market through broadcasting, online services, print services, or billboards medical marijuana, the use of medical marijuana, or services associated with medical marijuana.” It also prohibits the use of any symbol commonly associated with the practice of medicine or the practice of pharmacy, specifically including crosses of any color and caduceus.
WHAT WE SUPPORT:
- No free samples of marijuana or marijuana-related products
- No coupons or promotional flyers
- A dispensary or cultivation facility shall not use any symbol commonly associated with the practice of medicine or the practice of pharmacy
WHAT WE OPPOSE AND WHY:
We oppose restricting the industry as a whole to advertising, publicizing, promoting or marketing medical marijuana or ancillary businesses.
- Will Restrict Patient Access. There are 7,437 legal registered medical cannabis patients in Arkansas and the number grows each day. Patients should be able to readily access the information they need to make informed decisions about their medical care, including information about medical cannabis dispensaries. Limiting the ability of medical cannabis businesses to advertise to patients is a barrier to making informed healthcare decisions.
- Freedom of Speech. The rules would effectively be banning most available options for cannabis businesses to advertise to local consumers. Such a ban is a violation of cannabis businesses’ right to free public speech.
- Supporting the Stigma. The proposed regulations delegitimize medical cannabis’ use as a legal medicine and encourage stigmatization. It further encourages the treatment of cannabis businesses as taboo, even though states continue to pass legislation that acknowledge the benefits of cannabis and legalize its medical use.
no on both of these horseshit bills. edibles are an alternative to medicating without tearing ones lungs up. and as long as i see all these commercials for all of these bullshit medications that cause horrendous side effects on my t.v, no such action against a natural medication is even a little bit warrented
If you only have smoke or vapor your limited helping people that can’t consume medication ( cannabis )
Your other medication comes in different types.
Not Advertising will hurt the Industry. Show where patients can get help. You advertise booze, pills, and rehabilitation centers. The whole point is to help!
Enough of the bull and I’ll be kind ….
wow
Are the promotional rules more restrictive for medicinal marijuana than alcohol or cigarettes or…
Also completely confused about the food/edible restrictions- imagine applying that to other healing and pain relieving offerings.
I expect our Senators Cooper, Hill, Cheathan, Johnson, Maloch, Pitsch, Sturch, and Wallace to responsibly respond to what our citizens need to improve their lives and not let small minded politics get in the way.
Arkansas is smarter and wiser than this – let’s show it.
Please don’t take away the edibles! Pretty please. Give those that need it an alternative to smoking ! I will be 65 this year.
I do not support
SB440 nor SB441.
You are Restricting and Stigmatizing needed medicine!
And I am still waiting on you to do the Right thing.
I oppose SB440 and SB441. This is crazy stop fighting your constituents! The people have voted for medical cannabis, stop wasting time and taxes!!
I believe this will be a huge mistake to take away the edibles, as some patients prefer to get there marijuana in this form. Especially patients with difficulty’s in there lungs and don’t want to injest the smoke.
For people who have problems with smoke and smoking eatables are the best way for them to take their medication .This is necessary for those who cannot smoke‼️ Keep Eatables
Give the people what we voted for! Cannabis is medicine!
Stop defying the will of the people and do your job you were elected to do!!
As I have COPD Edibles are important method of use for this medicine for me
These are some of the most outrageous proposals they have come up with yet!
This bill needs to die, enough said. What is wrong with you people?
They have been cheating us out of our cannabis for two years already….they have fought tooth and nail every step of the way even though we have cards and prescriptions. They don’t want to give anyone pain meds so they say they are gonna legalize medical marijuana then they get pissed off and don’t wanna let us get that either. They just don’t want nothing.
Dear Senator,
Please vote against SB440 and SB441.
Medical cannabis patients deserve the right to try whatever form of the drug they choose. This whole process of legislation has been corrupt and limiting access to eatable cannabinol is wrong.
There are already limitations for marketing in place. I assure you that the people of Arkansas don’t need more laws. Especially since it’s been over 2 years and the people that need access to this drug still don’t have it.
The legalization of Medical marijuana was passed by Arkansas voters, (period). Any person who would benefit from using medical marijuana should be able to do so in edibles or any form in which they choose. It is ridiculous to expect everyone to only smoke it or inhale it through vaping. Drug companies prey on the elderly through mass advertising on a daily basis. At one time, television commercials had my dad convinced that he had mesothelioma. Another commercial made him believe he should quit one of his medications. One that he has to have to live. I told him to quit watching all those commercials. Why isn’t someone regulating all of that? And if they are, do they know how those messages are psychologically and possibly physically harming our senior communities? Yes, there is good and bad advertising, maybe the problem lies with the lack of effective regulation for all drug advertisers. Medical marijuana is inclusive. I guess medical marijuana doesn’t have companies making it and spending billions of dollars a year promoting it; or the FDA to regulate it. That is sad for the Arkansans who have and will obtain their legal rights to use it. As a former school teacher, I believe the only way to make intelligent decisions is to have all the recources and support possible. The consequences of an informed choice will have a more positive outcome than one made from ignorance. I ask that Arkansans who will benefit from medical marijuana have the informaton and tools they need to make sound health decisions. They should be aware of the different ways the drug can be injested and choose freely the best one for their circumstances.
As an Arkansas resident and voter I believe SB440 and SB441 should be disregarded and rejected.
The proposed regulations delegitimize medical cannabis’ use as a legal medicine and encourage stigmatization. It further encourages the treatment of cannabis businesses as taboo, even though states continue to pass legislation that acknowledge the benefits of cannabis and legalize its medical use.
If passed, these new regulations would send a clear message to every medical cannabis patient in Arkansas saying that Arkansas doesn’t care about their rights or the need for their medicine.
Furthermore, infused products are a crucial consumption method for medical cannabis patients.
Banning advertising, publicizing, promoting or marketing through broadcasting, online services, print services or billboards medical marijuana, the use of medical marijuana, or services associated with medical marijuana, including without limitation. Limits free speech, the will of the people, and patients access to information.
Please do not support SB440 and SB441
Thank you.
Done. I’ve written to every one of them tonight. As a 70 year old former cigarette smoker, 2-1/2 packs a day, I’d much rather eat or drink my medical cannabis than smoke it. I quit 30 years ago, hopefully have undone any damage to my lungs and heart, and don’t relish the possibility of doing more damage by smoking. I’m between a rock and a hard place, though, as I have been prescribed, as a last ditch effort, opioids for my current chronic health conditions, and am praying that I can either stop or seriously cut down the dosage by using medical cannabis in its stead. If SB440 passes, I will have no other choice but to smoke or vape.
My heart surgeon told me that my recent triple bypass was due to smoking tobacco for years. He also said I should try not to smoke anything…I asked him if marijuana might be preferred to smoke. He said, I should try to get used to eating it…or drinking it as a tea. “Marijuana is far better for you if you don’t smoke it…but rather, digest it…edibles are where it’s at…medically, it can actually cure some things but you don’t need to fry your lungs at the time…!”
i am a 70 yr old registered medical cannabis patient & a Vietnam veteran who suffers from ptsd & COPD & chronic bronchitis. My VA MD say i can NOT somke & inhale marijuana due to lung condiions. I NEED cannabis edibles as an alternative to smoking? WHY is the Ark legislature trying to “change” the law @ the last minute after we have suffered & waited 2 years for the opening of the first dispensaries like the other mdical marijuana states? PLEASE stop this?
please STOP thus madness?? I got COPD lung condition & cannot inhale?
n
i am 70 year old Vietnam vet q/ PTSD. Why Arkansas such a backward ignorant state? Look @ Oklahoma & other med marijuana states? 2 years & NOW this bullshit?
I will call every one of them
Not All patients can smoke or vape medication. They need an edible or liquid. There doesn’t not need to be restrictions on the method of delivery.
Arkansas I’ve only lived here for 3 years but the three years that I have lived here I have noticed that this state does everything they can to keep the people recessed and controlled but my husband who suffers from PTSD due to Vietnam cannot smoke because he only has half a lung if you take the Edibles away then you’re controlling him from having the medicine that he needs to live out the rest of his life in peace and harmony he’s 70 years old he fought for this country and got sick and you spot the government every since but the one thing he done he fought for your right to take what he needs away and he’s not the only Arkansas patient default for your right to take his right away I wish some common sense would play a role in Arkansas laws you think the people here are just so dumb that they’re unable to see the rules and regulations means money for Arkansas so how dare you withhold medicine from anybody that fought for your freedom treat the Arkansas people as less than what they are
Please stop making us continue taking freaking pills we needed help 2 years ago… WHY ?
Against
We oppose restricting the industry as a whole to advertising, publicizing, promoting or marketing medical marijuana or ancillary businesses.
Will Restrict Patient Access. There are 7,437 legal registered medical cannabis patients in Arkansas and the number grows each day. Patients should be able to readily access the information they need to make informed decisions about their medical care, including information about medical cannabis dispensaries. Limiting the ability of medical cannabis businesses to advertise to patients is a barrier to making informed healthcare decisions.
Freedom of Speech. The rules would effectively be banning most available options for cannabis businesses to advertise to local consumers. Such a ban is a violation of cannabis businesses’ right to free public speech.
Supporting the Stigma. The proposed regulations delegitimize medical cannabis’ use as a legal medicine and encourage stigmatization. It further encourages the treatment of cannabis businesses as taboo, even though states continue to pass legislation that acknowledge the benefits of cannabis and legalize its medical use.
Take these backed door crap and get ride of it your making a good body of legislation useless. I can promise we all vote and it’s time for all of you to go.
Amen! This just more evidence of how corrupt Arkansas govt is. There’s an old joke in this state that says “ if you can’t find a job you can always become a politician”
You people are making Arkansas into a joke,for the States who have legalized this NATURAL HERB. You are in violation of our Constitution,by suppressing Ar. The so called Natural State,what a joke! How about some education,go to Granny Storm Crows list,watch Rick Simpson’s Hemp oil CURE,video… You all just aren’t educated on how MUCH GOOD this HERB can do. We know,it’s about the money,not our health,but… WHAT DOES THAT TELL THE WORLD,ABOUT YOU ALL IN CHARGE HERE? It is SHAMEFUL,how you all are doing. ☹SHAMEFUL!!! ?
This is another disgusting use of politics and political agenda. Also playing with people’s lives that need their medicine like casualties of war.
Is it true that Arkansas is looking to take away gun rights to anyone who carries a medical marijuana card? Thanks to the VA, I was on opiates for over 8 years and have finally gotten off of them. It was okay for me to own guns and be on opiates that could kill me but I’m not supposed to own a gun and use medical marijuana to help with anxiety and the inability to sleep?
If that’s true then it should be that way for alcohol! Criminals, criminals, criminals! Our state govt is a breeding ground for criminals!
By doing this your limiting patience who need the medical flower but can not inhale it. So they would not be able to get it. And then the company can not promote really would you do that to wal-mart.. no basically you are keeping people from being able to access the information they need to get and the knowledge they need to know your prohibiting businesses from promoting what they’re selling it’s just wrong all the way around if you do this then you need to do it to every company not just one every company
Here is a list of the emails to get them at once with your message !
John.cooper@senate.ar.gov, Ricky.Hill@Senate.ar.gov, eddie.cheatham@senate.ar.gov, Blake.Johnson@senate.ar.gov, bruce.maloch@senate.ar.gov, james.sturch@senate.ar.gov, David.Wallace@senate.ar.gov, mathew.pitsch@senate.ar.gov
✌️
John.cooper@senate.ar.gov, Ricky.Hill@Senate.ar.gov, eddie.cheatham@senate.ar.gov, Blake.Johnson@senate.ar.gov, bruce.maloch@senate.ar.gov, james.sturch@senate.ar.gov, David.Wallace@senate.ar.gov, mathew.pitsch@senate.ar.gov
we voted by the people for the people not to let legislators second guess us
What on Hevens earth turned your minds you my friends are to help Paitients to obtain access to medical cannabis, not hinder them ,thease bills shouldn’t stand for any thing that helps the paitients obtain their medication meeting wall after wall give us what we voted foe stop changing the amendment 98 to fit what you want after the voting has long passed Cannabis saves lives theirs a Gentleman on the mmc board that has witnessed cannabis work in Children who’ve had seizures slow or stop its a God Given growing plant let it do what God intends for all Green plant’s and vegetation that continues to benefit our lives ,stop the lies vote no .
I am a Stage IV throat cancer survivor. I do not want to inhale medical marijuana. I find this “last minute” maneuver ridiculous. Furthermore, there are numerous patients that have respiratory problems that do not want to inhale medical marijuana. I oppose SB 440 and SB 441.
My husband is 65 years old and is a Stage 4 throat cancer survivor. He cannot smoke or vape medical marijuana. There are numerous other patients with respiratory problems that also need edibles. Arkansans voted this amendment in over two years ago and now this.
Please oppose SB 440 and SB 441.
Both of tjese bills ar wrong for Arkansas, limiting ppl to one way to ingest there medication is wrong. Some ppl can’t take smiking or vaping.