On the heels of a landmark Arkansas Supreme Court ruling, one of the state’s top lawmakers says legislators may look to change how medical marijuana and other voter-approved constitutional amendments are regulated.
Senate President Pro Tempore Bart Hester, R-Cave Spring, told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that lawmakers could review Amendment 98, which legalized medical marijuana, after the court ruled Thursday that the General Assembly may amend or repeal citizen-initiated constitutional amendments with a two-thirds vote in both chambers. The decision overturned a 74-year legal precedent.
Hester said the ruling allows lawmakers to reconsider amendments funded by wealthy out-of-state donors, adding that some were “not driven by Arkansans.”
The court said its ruling applies only to amendments adopted through citizen petition drives, not those referred by the Legislature. With a two-thirds vote, lawmakers could revisit measures such as medical marijuana, casinos, or the state lottery.
House Speaker Brian Evans, R-Cabot, told the Democrat-Gazette lawmakers would be cautious about altering the constitution, while House Minority Leader Andrew Collins, D-Little Rock, warned the ruling gives the Legislature broad new authority to override voters.
Both Hester and Evans said there are no plans to pursue changes before the next regular session in January 2027.
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