Marijuana is one of the most debated issues in Arkansas and across the nation. As voters and lawmakers, we must balance compassion for patients with responsibility to our communities.
I have been clear in supporting medical marijuana. For many patients — including veterans with PTSD, cancer patients undergoing treatment, and those with chronic pain — medical marijuana provides real relief when other medications fail. Denying patients access would be both cruel and unnecessary.
But recreational marijuana is a different matter. I do not support legalizing it in Arkansas, and here’s why:
Medical Concerns with Recreational Marijuana
- Brain Development Risks
- Studies show marijuana use can negatively impact brain development in adolescents and young adults, especially in areas related to memory, attention, and learning.
- Legal recreational use would increase availability and normalize use among youth — putting them at risk during critical years of growth.
- Mental Health Challenges
- Heavy recreational use has been linked to increased anxiety, depression, and in some cases psychosis.
- For those already vulnerable to mental illness, widespread recreational access could make conditions worse, not better.
- Addiction and Dependence
- While not everyone who uses marijuana becomes addicted, about 1 in 10 adult users and 1 in 6 adolescent users develop cannabis use disorder.
- Legal recreational markets tend to promote higher-potency products that increase these risks.
- Impaired Driving and Public Safety
- Marijuana affects coordination and reaction time. States that have legalized recreational use have seen increases in traffic accidents related to impaired driving.
- Protecting Arkansas families on our roads must remain a top priority.
The Difference Between Medical and Recreational Use
Medical marijuana is carefully regulated:
- Patients must have a qualifying medical condition.
- Doses are monitored.
- Sales are tracked through licensed dispensaries.
Recreational marijuana removes those guardrails. It encourages casual use, fuels black-market activity when taxes drive up prices, and creates long-term health concerns for young people.
My Position
- Yes to medical marijuana — compassion for patients who need it.
- No to recreational marijuana — to protect our youth, our roads, and our communities.
Arkansas does not need the social and health problems that have followed states which rushed into recreational legalization. We can support patients while keeping our neighborhoods safe.
Closing Thoughts
This is not about punishing people. It is about responsibility. As a state, we must distinguish between what is truly medicine and what is recreational drug use.
I will continue to support Arkansas patients who rely on medical marijuana. But I will also continue to oppose recreational marijuana, because I believe it brings more harm than good to our state.