(AP) – The Arkansas House has voted against House Bill 1392 to ban
marijuana edibles in the state. Local Representatives were split on the issue. Nelda Speaks, Scott Baltz, John Payton and David Branscum voted for the measure. Representatives Jack Fortner and Michelle Gray voted against.
Republican Representative Robin Lundstrum says the bill, which failed 52 to 40 Monday, would not have taken away medical marijuana from people who need it. Rather, it would have specifically banned commercial production of edibles.
Arkansas voters approved the legalization of medical marijuana in November. Patients or caregivers would still be able to incorporate medical marijuana into edibles. Lundstrum says medical marijuana is medicine, not candy.
Republican Representative Douglas House spoke against the bill. House said there are already regulations in place regarding commercial edibles.
The identical Senate Bill 333 failed in the Arkansas Senate, recently as well, after opponents said it would undermine a voter-approved initiative legalizing the drug for people with a host of ailments.
The Senate voted 15 to 11 in favor of the measure to ban so-called pot edibles, but it needed at least 24 votes to advance to the state House. Local Senators Missy Irvin and Linda Collins-Smith voted in favor of the proposed ban. Senator Scott Flippo did not vote.
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