We got an update yesterday on progress by the medical marijuana commission in working through applications to cultivate or sell medical marijuana under new state law.
The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Association announced today that they will be hosting a half day symposium on Wednesday, September 20, dealing with the medical cannabis industry and regulatory issues. The keynote address of the symposium will be delivered by TV host and medical marijuana advocate Montel Williams, who has also accepted a position on the AMMA's board.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson today made Mary Robin Casteel director of the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Division, which now has medical marijuana regulation among its duties.
An official opinion from Attorney General Leslie Rutledge touches lightly on the many ways in which the medical marijuana amendment creates new legal concerns.
The hearing was not acrimonious, but the substance of the public comment illustrated divergent visions for the heavily regulated industry-to-be. Will Arkansas marijuana be dominated by out-of-state marijuana interests?
An effort in the House to ban edible forms of medical marijuana failed today. The vote was 52-40, but as an amendment to a constitutional amendment, it required a two-thirds vote.
Although HB 1400 still requires passage in the Senate, its success in the House would seem to put to rest discussion of prohibiting marijuana smoking entirely. Lundstrum's initial bid to entirely forbid marijuana smoking stalled in committee.
The Senate today rejected a bill to ban smoking of medical marijuana. On another topic, a bill to expand wine sales seems to have run into significant liquor store opposition.
Sen. Bart Hester, the anti-gay legislator who fathered the legislation aimed at preventing local civil rights ordinances to protect LGBT people, is all for local control when it comes to marijuana.