AR Marijuana | Arkansas Marijuana AR Marijuana News and Info
Dr. Ronda Henry-Tillman, chairperson of the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission, penned a letter to the Arkansas Attorney General seeking legal guidance. Henry-Tillman isn’t satisfied with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission providing legal guidance regarding the budding industry. The chairwoman also wants Leslie Rutledge’s office to represent the commission in any legal matters.
The Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission has been the legal guide for the state’s medical marijuana program since 2016, according to Arkansas Democrat Gazette. The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission has been discussing hiring staff of its own in its last several meetings. The handling of cultivation applications by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission has also been in question.
The Alcoholic Beverage Control Division will soon begin an enforcement role – regulating cultivation sites and dispensaries, according to spokesman for the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Scott Hardin.
Hardin said, “Dr. Henry-Tillman’s request for the Attorney General’s Office to provide legal guidance allows ABC to continue providing administrative support to the MMC while also incorporating new duties. This is a natural step in the process that will benefit all parties.”
According to the communications director for the AG’s office, Amanda Priest said that the AG’s office will represent the medical marijuana commission. It is in line with the existing statutory obligations of the office. It is already Arkansas law that the state AG is to be the attorney for the state agencies if legal counsel is required.
The deputy attorneys general have already worked with the medical marijuana commission in legal manners earlier in 2018.
