AR lawmakers consider delaying medical marijuana program

Arkansas lawmakers may delay the rollout of the state’s newly legalized medical marijuana program.

State lawmakers are discussing that along with a move to change how marijuana sales tax revenue will be doled out as well as adding an additional sales tax on cannabis, according to Arkansas Business.

Last week, Arkansas voters passed an amendment to the state’s constitution that allows patients to purchase cannabis from licensed dispensaries.

Republican lawmaker Doug House said he’s developing legislation to postpone the program launch from March to May to allow more time for rulemaking.

It would also move back the deadline for the state to take licenses from June 1 to July 1.

Sen. Bart Hester wants to tack on an additional tax for medical marijuana to offset a $105 million income tax cut he’s proposing.

Currently the state agencies regulating cannabis will receive 10% of the sales tax revenue, while the bulk of the rest will go to job training and career education programs.