Arkansas Medical Marijuana Rule-Making Process Raising Issues

Arkansas is the first Bible Belt state to pass legislation for medical marijuana. Now, the state’s residents are waiting for the new medical marijuana program rules to be developed and enacted by the Department of Health.

The Dept. of Health says changes should be expected and they’re making edits as they go, according to THV11. Marijuana dosage and electronic registry cards will be covered in the rules. The biggest known concern is the impact of medical marijuana and the workplace. Employers are asking what they should be putting in their handbooks.

Marisha DeCarlo of the Arkansas Department of Health said, “The way that the amendment was written on that Arkansans voted on is it gives qualified patients and caregivers every 14 days, 2 ½ ounces of marijuana.”

Attorney Jennifer Chang said, “They’re seeking to shape their new substance abuse policies, their drug testing policies, their job descriptions, their handbooks and they need some guidance, some clarification.”

A meeting is scheduled for the Board of Health on January 28. It will work on clarifying confusion on rules and be able to start voting on some of the drafted rules. An answer to how to approach medical marijuana in the workplace should be made at that time, or in the near future.