Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R-Ark.) and state physicians opposed proposals for use of medical marijuana Monday, KATV reports.
Among the opposing physicians were Surgeon General Greg Bledsoe, MD, and G. Richard Smith, MD, a psychiatrist and addiction specialist at Little Rock-based University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
"If you like Big Tobacco, you'll love Big Marijuana, because Big Marijuana is simply Big Tobacco painted green," Dr. Bledsoe said. In addition, Gov. Hutchison said medical marijuana does not foster best medical practices or patient outcomes, according to the report.
Representatives from Little Rock-based entities Arkansas Medical Society and the Arkansas Hospital Association, among others, opposed the proposal as well.