LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The Arkansas judge who put the brakes on the state's medical marijuana program didn't do so because of an objection to legalizing pot's use for certain patients. In fact, he was downright apologetic about putting the program on hold because of objections to the licensing process.

"Amendment 98 to the Constitution of Arkansas, an initiative by the people, exists because Arkansans want to provide medical marijuana to persons who suffer from chronic, debilitating, and life-threatening health challenges," Pulaski County Circuit Judge Wendell Griffen wrote in his order last...