Arkansas Marijuana Commission Now Accepting Public’s Comments

Twin Lakes area residents are urged to provide their comments regarding rules for the medical marijuana program. The public comment period began on February 25. The provisionary licensing rules are available for public viewing.

It is ideal to read the provided rules prior to commenting, according to Baxter Bulletin. The proposed rules can be viewed on the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission website. If you are unable to comment via Internet, comments may be submitted via mail – addressed to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Administration.

A public hearing will be held on March 31 between the hours of 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at University of Arkansas in the William H. Bowen School of Law – Little Rock.

Lawmakers will have to get busy finalizing rules because their deadline is May 8 to do so. The Health Department finished drafting its set of marijuana rules last month for testing and labeling procedures. Regarding those rules, a public hearing is scheduled for March 10 at 2 p.m. at the Arkansas Department of Health auditorium in Little Rock.

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Administration is also drafting a set of rules. Its public hearing for those rules has not been announced yet.

Arkansas will issue 32 licenses for dispensaries and five for cultivation. Cultivators aren’t restricted to any specific geographic location at this point. The dispensaries, however, would be divided equally among eight regions in the state.

Applicants will participate in a number-drawing process to have their applications considered, which includes giving a presentation. The commission can decide immediately after a presentation whether or not to issue a license to an applicant.

Financial support for all business ventures must be shown and hefty application/licensing fees must be paid. Those interested in operating a dispensary or cultivation facility must prove that they have the necessary financial means to satisfy the needs of the business.