Arkansas lawmakers approve new marijuana consultant, application rules

Get realistic market forecasts, state-by-state insights and benchmarks with the 2024 MJBiz Factbook member program, now with quarterly updates. Make informed decisions.


Arkansas lawmakers approved a rule to allow the state’s Medical Marijuana Commission to hire a consultant who will review hundreds of applications for licenses it has received from cannabis dispensaries.

The approval comes after the state awarded licenses to five marijuana cultivation companies last week after a court injunction suspending the licensing process was lifted.

The move to hire a consultant was in part prompted by allegations of impropriety during the cultivation application process.

The Arkansas Legislative Council’s executive subcommittee on Thursday green-lighted the rule allowing the MMJ commission to hire the consultant for reviewing and scoring dispensary applications.

The panel also approved a rule that would allow it to keep unsuccessful applications for growing and selling marijuana active for two years. The move would allow the next-highest-scoring company to be awarded a license if a permit is revoked.

Associated Press and Marijuana Business Daily