Pubdate: Tue, 04 Sep 2012
Source: Corsicana Daily Sun (TX)
Copyright: 2012 Corsicana Daily Sun.
Contact:  http://www.corsicanadailysun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2968

MEDICAL MARIJUANA BACKERS SEEK INROADS IN SOUTH

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The home state of the president who didn't
inhale has become an unlikely front in the battle over medical marijuana.

This fall, Arkansas will be the first Southern state to ask voters
whether to legalize medical uses for pot, a move that offers
supporters a rare chance to make inroads in a region that has resisted
easing any restrictions on the drug.

The state's top elected officials and law enforcement agencies oppose
the idea, but legalization groups hope the referendum shows that
medical marijuana is no longer solely the domain of East Coast or
Western states.

"This is an issue that hasn't been ready for primetime yet in the
South. It may be that it's starting to be, and that's a good thing,"
said Jill Harris, managing director of Drug Policy Action.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt