Arkansas will see these proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot in November 2024

Supporters of proposals to change Arkansas' constitution turned in thousands of signatures Friday. But not every effort made the cut.To qualify proposed constitutional amendments, at least 90,704 valid signatures from registered voters are required. Additionally, there must be a sufficient number of signatures from at least 50 out of the state's 75 counties.The signatures must be verified by election officials, who have 30 days to complete this process.If groups behind the measures collect at least 75% of the required signatures statewide and in each of the 50 counties, they may be granted an additional 30 days to gather more signatures.What Could Make The Ballot Medical Marijuana ExpansionIn 2016, Arkansas voters approved a medical marijuana program. This amendment would expand that.The amendment would allow more medical professionals to certify patients for medical cannabis. It would allow marijuana card certification to be done over a telehealth appointment.The amendment also extends the validity of patient cards from one to three years, eliminating the need for annual medical certifications and card fees, thereby reducing patient costs.Beyond these changes, the amendments touch upon issues like personal cultivation and the confidentiality of patient records. These adjustments in specific sections of current law demonstrate a responsiveness to evolving patient needs and a commitment to refining the regulatory framework for medical cannabis.Blocking Casino LicenseThis would block the license for a Pope County casino. In 2018, voters approved a ballot measure to allow four casinos in four different parts of the state, including Pope County. The Arkansas Racing Commission awarded the Pope County license to Cherokee Nation Entertainment, which plans to build a casino just outside of Russellville. Status UnclearAbortion Ban ModificationsThe Arkansas secretary of state has rejected a proposed constitutional amendment to create exceptions to the state's abortion ban. He said the group did not follow requirements for paid canvassers, rendering the signatures they gathered invalid. This would leave the group short of the required number."Our legal team is reviewing the letter from the Secretary of State," Rebecca Bobrow director of strategy for Arkansans for Limited Government told 40/29. "We will have more to say shortly."Arkansas' current abortion ban makes it illegal to perform an abortion or attempt to perform an abortion except to save the life of a pregnant woman in a medical emergency. There are no exceptions for rape or incest.The amendment would prevent the Arkansas state government from restricting or delaying abortion access within 18 weeks of fertilization.After 18 weeks, abortion would be legally allowed in five circumstances:RapeIncestFatal fetal anomalyTo protect a woman's healthTo protect a woman's lifeWhat FailedGroups behind some of the proposed amendments said they failed to gather enough signatures to put them on the ballot in 2024. Those include:Minimum School StandardsThe amendment would have required private schools that get public funding to follow the same minimum standards as traditional public schools. The measure was created in response to the school voucher program signed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders last year.Freedom of Information The amendment would have added the state's Freedom of Information Act to the Arkansas Constitution and made it easier to access government records.This comes after Sanders signed new exceptions to Arkansas' Freedom of Information Act into law last year during a special legislative session.The law that was passed restricts certain records related to the security of the governor, other state officials, members of the General Assembly, Supreme Court justices and appeals court judges.'Pink Tax' AbolitionThis proposal would have made feminine hygiene products and diapers exempt from sales taxes.