Slew of Bills Attacking Medical Cannabis Industry Introduced in Arkansas
Arkansas’ medical cannabis program could be whittled down to oblivion with a slew of Republican-introduced amendments. Patients could be forced to bake their own edibles, ban smoking in nearly every location and give local governments more time to ban cannabis collectives. State Representative Robin Lundstrum (R-District 87) introduced three bills which would limit the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment.
HB-1392 would ban medical cannabis edibles. The bill would amend the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment and prohibit the manufacture, sale, and exchange of cannabis edibles in Arkansas. The bill was also sponsored by Senator Gary Stubbefield (R-District 6). HB 1392 would only allow a patient or caregiver to infuse foods or drink with cannabis on their own.
Rep. Lundstrum was joined by Senator Rapert (R-District 35) to sponsor House Bill 1400, which was filed on January 30 at 4:20 pm. HB-1400 would ban smoking in any location in Arkansas, however, there is a provision which would allow landlords to permit a qualifying patient to smoke cannabis inside a leased property.
The third bill, HB-1391, would introduce an emergency clause that mandates that local zoning regulations in certain locations must take effect before any licenses can be issued. The main purpose behind HB-1391, as stated in the bill, is to provide more time for voters to prohibit a cultivation facility or cannabis collective. Senator Bart Hester and Lundstrum sponsored the bill.
Earlier last week, Senator Jason Rapert (R-Bigelow) filed Senate Bill 238, which would delay the entire medical cannabis program for 180 days. SB-238 was passed on to the Senate Committee on Public Health, Welfare and Labor. Other house bills were filed the same day which would clarify where taxes are allocated, regulate advertising and require background checks for those wishing to work in a cannabis collective or cultivation center.
For cannabis activists in Arkansas, it’s in their best interest to be extra vigilant about new proposals that are arriving at this time. Only HB-1400 has been filed, but HB-1391 and HB-1392 have been sent to the Committee on House Rules.
