Pubdate: Thu, 01 Nov 2012 Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock, AR) Copyright: 2012 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Contact: http://www2.arkansasonline.com/contact/voicesform/ Website: http://www2.arkansasonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/25 Note: Accepts letters to the editor from Arkansas residents only SCORES OF STATE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS BACK MEDICAL MARIJUANA LITTLE ROCK - Dozens of medical professionals from around Arkansas are backing a proposal that would make the state the first in the South to legalize medical marijuana. Arkansans for Compassionate Care on Thursday released a list of 79 medical professionals from around the state who support the proposed initiated act on next week's ballot. The measure would allow patients with qualifying conditions to buy marijuana from nonprofit dispensaries with a physician's recommendation. The group announced the medical professionals' support at a news conference that featured Steve Jenison, chair of the New Mexico Medical Cannabis Advisory Board. Jennison said Arkansas' proposal closely mirrors New Mexico's medical-marijuana law. A group of doctors last week announced their opposition to the proposed act. Seventeen states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana in some form. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom