Arkansas Poultry Federation says legal recreational pot will result in higher chicken prices

Robert Medley, Fort Smith Times Record
·2 min read
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If recreational marijuana is approved in Arkansas Tuesday, the price of chicken in the grocery store will go up, opponent of Issue 4 states.

Citing safety concerns for workers, an increase in insurance costs, and higher costs of chicken in the stores, the Poultry Federation of Arkansas announced opposition to Issue 4, the proposal to legalize recreational marijuana.

"The Poultry Federation of Arkansas is taking a formal stance against Issue 4 of the general election scheduled to take place on Nov. 8, 2022." a statement from the federation reads.

A statement from Poultry Federation President Marvin Childrens reads, "We are most concerned about the safety of all poultry industry employees. Recreational marijuana would create significant safety concerns for employees who work in processing plants, operate equipment, and deliver the finished product,"

More:Recreational marijuana in Arkansas: What we know about Issue 4 on November ballot

Voters will decide the proposal, Issue 4, that would allow people 21 and older to legally buy marijuana without a medical license.

"The impact on the end consumer will be higher costs in the grocery store due to increased risks and the associated insurance costs as well as further reducing the already insufficient labor supply. We believe a safe workplace is more important, and we encourage everyone to vote no on Issue 4," Childers stated.

The federation represents the poultry and egg industry in Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.

Oklahoma voters will decide recreational marijuana for adults in a special election March 7. Missouri voters are also deciding a recreational marijuana question.

Lance Huey, Responsible Growth Arkansas, the group that gathered signatures for the initiative petition to put the proposal on the Nov. 8 ballots in Arkansas, responded to the poultry federation announcement.

"Nothing in Issue 4 changes a business or company's ability to govern its employees with drug tests or other policies to ensure workplace safety," Huey said. "Just as nothing in Issue 4 changes Arkansas laws concerning driving while impaired."

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Poultry Federation: Recreational pot will result in higher chicken prices