Did you hear the news? The Supreme Court tossed the marijuana ballot initiative. Though the issue will be on the ballot in Arkansas, votes for or against the initiative will not be counted.
The Court ruled against the likely popular amendment, which would have expanded the state’s medical marijuana program. While this decision is disappointing, it highlights a deeper issue: the troubling actions of Secretary of State John Thurston.
The Court found that Thurston improperly disqualified signatures last month. Why? There was a minor paperwork issue related to paid canvassers. But this issue wasn’t a problem until Thurston’s office decided it was. Thurston’s decision is part of a broader pattern where he has used bureaucratic technicalities to stifle the will of the people.
In this case, his actions could have prevented the amendment from even appearing on the ballot — had the Court not ruled that he acted improperly. This is not the first time Thurston’s office has come under scrutiny for obstructing the ballot initiative process.
John Thurston has a responsibility to ensure that Arkansans’ voices are heard, not suppressed.
Yet, his repeated actions undermine the democratic process, making it harder for citizens to directly engage in shaping the laws that govern them. Arkansans deserve better from their elected officials—those who should prioritize protecting, not obstructing, their right to vote on the issues that matter most.
