AR: Medical Marijuana Commission Wants To See Facilities In Other States First

Katelyn Baker

Well-Known Member
During its meeting Monday afternoon, the Medical Marijuana Commission discussed how to start setting regulations for marijuana cultivation facilities.

Given their deadline 120-day deadline from the day the amendment was passed, they only have 79 days left to set regulations for cultivation facilities and dispensaries.

"Everyone was pretty nervous about meeting that 120-day deadline," says Dr. Ronda Henry-Tillman, chairwoman of the commission. "It's a lot of work."

Dr. Tillman stressed the importance of getting the regulations right, since medical marijuana is new to the State of Arkansas.

"We talked a lot about education, research, training, testing," says Dr. Tillman. "All of those things are so important as we get these cultivation centers and regulations and rules for these cultivation centers, because the most important thing is the safety of Arkansans."

The commission's idea is to have five cultivation facilities across the state, in the public health regions designated by the Department of Health.

Those facilities would provide products to dispensaries.

Dr. Carlos Roman proposed getting clearance to travel to other states and see their cultivation facilities in operation before setting regulations for the ones in Arkansas.

"How they grow the seed, how long it takes to grow and cultivate marijuana, how are they going to package and process it, what's the security?" asks Dr. Carlos Roman, a commissioner.

Commissioner Travis Story noted there are multiple things cultivation facilities can do, and they need to clearly define what a cultivation facility is here in Arkansas.

Dr. Stephen J. Carroll stressed the importance of packaging and looking at dosage forms.

Dr. Roman also wants to keep security of those facilities top of mind.

"You don't want employees shoveling it out the back," says Dr. Roman. "How do they throw away the waste, you know, if they're not using it, didn't get cultivated. How does that get disposed of properly without it ending up being diverted?"

The commission scheduled the next two meetings:

Thursday, December 22nd at 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 27th at 4:00 p.m.

They'll further discuss traveling to other cultivation facilities, who can have licenses, and how many dispensaries will be in the state.

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Full Article: Medical Marijuana Commission Wants To See Facilities In Other States First
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