Gov. Sanders vetoes two bills on last day of legislative session
The two vetoes were the first of the 95th General Assembly.
The first veto was for HB1889, which would authorize a dispensary to deliver orders or operate a drive-thru window.
Sanders said in a statement that the reason why she vetoed the bill was that it 'would expand access to usable marijuana.'
HB1889 was sponsored by Rep. Aaron Pilkington (R-Knoxville) and Sen. Joshua Bryant (R-Rogers).
CVS shares statement after Arkansas bill restricting PBMs from owning pharmacies is signed into law
The bill passed the House by 20 votes on April 2 and the Senate by four votes a week later. It was sent to the governor's desk on April 10.
The Arkansas Cannabis Industry Association (ACIA) expressed disappointment in a statement released on Wednesday night after it was announced the bill had been vetoed.
The Governor's veto message incorrectly asserts that this legislation 'would expand access to usable marijuana.' That is not supported by the text of the bill or the intent of its sponsors and supporters. HB1889 did not expand access to medical marijuana. The bill made no changes to patient eligibility, qualifying conditions or who may obtain a medical marijuana card under Arkansas law. Instead, it put patients first and proposed a set of measured operational improvements to better serve those already authorized to participate in the state's program.
Not long after HB1889 was vetoed, Sanders issued a line-item veto for a part of HB1265, which would appropriate funds for the University of Arkansas – Little Rock.
The line item vetoed by Sanders mentioned a position called the 'Dir. of Institute on Race & Ethnicity' with a maximum salary of $191,605.
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders touts legislative accomplishments on final working day of 95th General Assembly
Sanders issued the following statement regarding the line-item veto:
'This session, I championed Arkansas ACCESS, my plan to make college more accessible for all and get indoctrination out of college classrooms. Arkansas will not waste nearly $200,000 in taxpayer dollars on DEI administrators who promote woke nonsense.'
HB1265 was sponsored by the Joint Budget Committee and was introduced on Jan. 27.
It convincingly passed the House and Senate and was sent to the governor's desk on April 10.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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