Arkansas legislators advanced legislation Wednesday to set aside revenues from the medical marijuana tax in order to fund free breakfasts at schools.
SB 59 would add to federal funds for free or reduced-price meals money collected from cannabis taxes, private donations, and the general fund of the state.
Republican Senator Jonathan Dismang (the lead sponsor) noted that the law requires students to attend school.
He said, “We want to see them succeed.” We want them to succeed, so let’s make sure they have the right tools to do that.
Students would receive meals regardless of whether they are eligible for federally-funded free food or reduced cost.
Dismang compared the program with other “resources” and “tools” that the government provides to its students. For example, laptops. He said, “To me, this is not different.” “Let us start off on the correct foot. Let them choose and take action to solve the problem of food security in our state.”
A member of the panel from the Republican Party, Sen. Joshua Bryant, who asked skepticism about Dismang’s bill at the hearing questioned what would happen to the medical marijuana program in the state if lawmakers attempted to restrict it.
“Because we’re using medical marijuana revenues to fund these types of programs,” he said, “is it a concern that if a member of the General Assembly wants to restrict, or further pull back the ability of medical marijuana to expand, that we will be met with the argument, ‘You’ll be taking the food out of kids’ mouths if you do that’?”
“I don’t think so.” Dismang responded, in reference to voter-approved laws on medical cannabis. We can’t do anything unless we pass a constitutional amendement that eliminates what is there or somebody else proposes another amendment.
This would probably become a part of that conversation… I don’t know how we can do any more than what has been done to limit the use of medical marijuana in the state. This would probably become a part of that conversation… I don’t know how we can do any more than has been done on limiting utilization of medical marijuana in the state.”
Governor Brown’s endorsement of SB 59 last month was followed by the favorable committee report. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ (R) State of the State speech included a sneak preview of the bill. Sanders is a former Trump press secretary who has consistently opposed cannabis policy reform.
In her speech, she stated that using medical marijuana funds will make the program sustainable for several years.
Sanders opposed an initiative to expand Arkansas’s medical cannabis program, which was eventually shut down by the Supreme Court of Arkansas.
A survey found that a majority of likely voters in Arkansas were in favor of the initiative.
Sanders is open to minor reforms despite opposing the plan. She also appears willing to maintain the medical cannabis program. For example, in 2023 she signed a bill into law clarifying that medical marijuana patients can obtain concealed carry licenses for firearms despite federal law still prohibiting cannabis users from possessing guns.
The state’s medical marijuana has proved popular since its implementation in 2019, with officials announcing last May that at least 102,000 residents have registered for patient cards, exceeding expectations.
However, Arkansas voters defeated a ballot initiative to more broadly legalize marijuana for adults in 2022.
A Study shows that more than half of beer drinkers are open to trying marijuana-infused beverages.
Side Pocket Images. Photo by Chris Wallis.