Arkansas Senate approves bill that will use medical marijuana tax revenue to provide free breakfast to students.
SB 59 is a bill that would replace federal funding for reduced and free meals with funds from a Food Insecurity Fund in the state, funded by marijuana taxes and private grants, as well as money from its general fund.
Before the vote, Sen. Jonathan Dismang(R), who sponsored the bill, noted that “25 per cent of our children wake up hungry every day they attend school.”
He added: “Often, the school meal is their only nutritious food of the day.” These kids don’t have a way to eat themselves. If their parents aren’t willing to send money or sign cards, the districts have to provide them food, which leads to debt. This would give every child in Arkansas the right to a free morning meal.
Students would receive meals regardless of whether they are eligible for federally-funded free food or reduced cost.
Dismang stated that the federal funds available would be used first, followed by any remaining money. “The State of Arkansas would use medical marijuana dollars in order to reimburse the district for its breakfast.”
It passed 26-2 after being unanimously endorsed by the Senate Education Committee. Now it will be considered by the House of Representatives.
Governor Abbott endorsed the bill last month. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a Republican who spoke at the State of the State Address in January 2017, previewed the proposed bill. Sanders is a former Trump press secretary who has in the past resisted any cannabis policy reform.
She said that the medical marijuana money would allow the program to be “sustainable” for many 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.
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