Yesterday, Arcade Arkansas announced that they will be suspending their campaign and not turn in signatures. The group cited COVID-19 as the main reason.
“When the COVID-19 pandemic reached Arkansas, the committee decided to take a cautious approach and suspended signature gathering in response to public health concerns. With a second wave of cases in Arkansas seemingly larger than the initial wave, the committee has decided there is a moral duty to stop signature gathering for the remainder of the 2020 cycle so as not to contribute to the spread of this virus,” said Jason Cline, spokesperson for Arcade Arkansas.
The committee was looking to expand coin-operated amusement machines in Arkansas. It is unclear whether or not the group will retry again next season.
Casinos welcome this news, as the group formed to oppose the initiative back in February, Protect Arkansas Communities, was given $133,068 from each of the following: Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs, Saracen Development Authority in Pine Bluff and the parent company of Southland Casino Racing in West Memphis.
Unlike the coin-gaming initiative, the Arkansas marijuana legalization initiative is hopeful they’ll be able to collect enough signatures. This hope comes after a federal judge ruled last Monday that signatures do not have to be collected in person, which we wrote about here. This means that, while electronic signatures are still not allowed, people are able to print out and mail in signed petitions. The proposal would allow adults 21 and older to purchase and possess up to four ounces of cannabis and grow up to six plants.
It is interesting that Arcade Arkansas decided to suspend their campaign even with this signature relief in place.
