Arkansas Surgeon General Gregory Bledsoe has taken to social media to seek speaking engagements to oppose medical marijuana.

It appears two measures are headed to the ballot. One, an initiated act, provides for dispensation by non-profit organizations, with tax revenue dedicated to administration of the law. Another, a constitutional amendment, will provide for profit-making dispensaries, with tax revenues directed to several government uses.

A Republican talking point has already emerged on social media against the initiated act — that tax revenue will go in part to subsidize purchasing marijuana for poor people. True. And how truly Republican to see a subsidy of medical treatment for poor people a negative thing. Like pre-K education. Or income tax cuts for the working poor. Or Medicaid expansion. Or no-loan college education.

A Tweet from a Republican activist and state employee:



Commented Bledsoe




Here’s the relevant section of the act: