LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Sept. 27 (UPI) -- The Arkansas Supreme Court refused Thursday to remove a referendum on medical marijuana from the ballot in November.
The court rejected a motion by the Coalition to Preserve Arkansas Values, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported. The group argued on technical grounds that the title of the initiative on the ballot was misleading and also said legalizing medical marijuana would put the state in conflict with federal law.
Associate Justice Karen R. Baker, who wrote the majority opinion, said the coalition wanted the court "to hold the Act unconstitutional based on hypothetical scenarios that may occur in the future, if the Act becomes a law. We decline to do so."
Arkansans for Compassionate Care organized a petition drive to get the issue on the ballot. If it passes, patients with qualifying medical conditions and a doctor's approval would be able to possess and use marijuana legally.
