Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has criticized the cannabis industry, saying it targets “gullible” people

In a series of videos, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee warned that legalizing adult-use cannabis in Arkansas will help drug cartels and that the cannabis industry “will make money off gullible people.” The videos were released as voters prepared to elect the state’s next governor and decide whether to legalize cannabis.

The videos – full of misleading and factual misconceptions – warn of the dangers of pot. In the first video, Huckabee looks directly into the camera and explains why he is against legalization. In the second video, Huckabee’s video begins with images of the homeless, drug addicts, and syringes strewn on the streets.

The videos were published on the website of the Family Council Action Committee – one of three groups that have formed a coalition to oppose Issue 4, the Arkansas Adult Use Cannabis Amendment.

“Unfortunately, you’re not the one who’s going to make the money, it’s drug cartels,” Huckabee said in the video.

“And if you’re one of those people who can sell the drug, maybe you’re making money off the gullible people who somehow convince themselves that this is absolutely harmless,” Huckabee added.

“For decades, Southern Baptist ministries in Arkansas have worked to help people overcome addiction and substance abuse. Issue 4 undermines these addiction recovery programs,” Jerry Cox, executive director of the Family Council Action Committee, said in an Oct. 14 press release. “Some people will tell you that marijuana is no more harmful than alcohol. That may have been true ten or twelve years ago, but it no longer seems true today. High-potency marijuana is the norm in states like Colorado and California, and Issue 4 legalizes THC extracts that are even more potent than a typical marijuana plant. These drugs will harm many people. It’s just another reason Arkansans should vote against Issue 4 this November.”

Arkansas’ road to legalization has been a rocky one, to say the least.

On August 3, the state Board of Election Commissioners (SBEC) refused to certify Issue 4 legalizing cannabis for adults, citing concerns about adequate background checks for dispensary owners and THC limits. The SBEC review is part of a new voting request process.

Then, on Sept. 22, the Arkansas Supreme Court reversed the SBEC’s decision to deny certification of the constitutional amendment legalizing adult marijuana use. In a 5-2 opinion, the Arkansas Supreme Court dismissed the panel’s concerns about the adequacy of the ballots. Judges Shawn Womack and Barbara Webb disagreed.

“In view of these standards, we conclude that the ballot in question is sufficiently complete to provide a reasonable idea of ​​the scope and significance of the proposed change,” Associate Justice Robin Wynne wrote in the Majority Opinion. “Therefore, the opponents and interveners have not fulfilled their burden of proof that the elective title is insufficient. The people will decide in November whether to approve the proposed change. Accordingly, we grant the petition and instruct the Secretary of State to approve the proposed change for inclusion in the ballot for the November 8, 2022 general election.”

Huckabee criticized the opinion. “[The justices] Certainly they are intelligent people and they know that the only people who will really benefit from it, apart from those who sell it at a high price and make a lot of money, will be the people who might sell snacks to keep them satisfied represent the cravings for people who use recreational marijuana,” Huckabee said. While Huckabee blamed the judges, they don’t necessarily agree with bills that they approve or reject.

Ironically, some Arkansans who are part of the local cannabis industry contributed to Huckabee’s campaigns. Arkansas Cannabiz identified over $50,000 in donations from individuals currently working in Arkansas’ cannabis industry who have contributed to Sanders’ campaign.

Huckabee’s daughter and former White House press secretary for President Trump, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who also opposes Issue 4, is on the ballot this November. The latest poll shows she has an 11-point lead over Democrat Chris Jones, with seven percent of people saying they were undecided in the race.

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