English
Español
Français
Deutsch
Italiano
Português
The governor of Arkansas has signed a bill to use medical marijuana tax revenue to fund free school breakfasts for students.
The legislation approved by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) on Thursday will supplement federal free and reduced-price meal funds with money from a state Food Insecurity Fund, paid for by cannabis taxes as well as private grants and money from the state’s general fund.
“Free school breakfast will help ease the burden on families just trying to put food on their tables and make sure kids are fueled and ready to learn,” the governor said in a press release. “Delivering for our kids is a bipartisan issue, and I’m proud to see us working together to take action.”
Sanders previewed the bill in her State of the State address last month.
Sen. Jonathan Dismang (R), who sponsored SB 59, said that “by ensuring that every child starts their school day with a nourishing meal, we give them the tools they need to succeed and thrive, regardless of their background.”
“It’s a simple but powerful step towards creating an equitable learning environment where all students have the opportunity to reach their full potential,” he said.
Rep. Zach Gramlich (R), who carried the measure in the House, added that “as a middle school teacher, I have seen the impact of hunger on a student’s ability to learn and thrive.”
“A hungry child comes into school, lays their head down, and waits for lunch,” he said. “Providing students with a breakfast will ensure that every student starts the day with the nutrition they need to concentrate, participate, and succeed in my classroom.”
Thanks for the opportunity to deliver some remarks at the press conference for Universal Free Breakfast and the Bell to Bell No Cell Phone bill! Great for Arkansas Schools and my classroom! @SarahHuckabee pic.twitter.com/Mq7T1Y5n61
— GramlichForArkansas (@ZackGramlich) February 20, 2025
The new law will provide meals to students regardless of whether or not they qualify for free or reduced-cost food under federal law. Some supporters have said that stigma sometimes prevents families from taking advantage of those programs, leaving children hungry.
“We will also use those funds to make school breakfast in Arkansas completely free for any student that chooses to participate,” the governor said in her State of the State speech last month, saying the use of medical marijuana funds would make the program “sustainable for years to come.”
Sanders, a former press secretary in the first Trump administration, has historically resisted cannabis policy reform.
—
Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
—
Ahead of November’s election, Sanders opposed a ballot initiative that would have expanded Arkansas’s medical marijuana program—a measure ultimately scuttled by the state Supreme Court.
A survey found that a majority of likely voters in Arkansas were in favor of the initiative.
Despite her opposition to the proposal, Sanders has been open to maintaining the existing medical cannabis program and adopting other modest reforms. For example, in 2023 she signed a bill into law clarifying that medical marijuana patients can obtain concealed carry licenses for firearms despite federal law still prohibiting cannabis users from possessing guns.
The state’s medical marijuana has proved popular since its implementation in 2019, with officials announcing last May that at least 102,000 residents have registered for patient cards, exceeding expectations.
However, Arkansas voters rejected a ballot initiative to more broadly legalize marijuana for adults in 2022.
Oklahoma Senators Approve Bill To Protect Second Amendment Rights Of Medical Marijuana Patients
Read the full article here
