Arkansas marijuana panel OKs rule allowing hiring of consultant to help review dispensary applications

The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission meets Monday, July 2, 2018, to discuss options for hiring an independent consultant to review about 230 dispensary applications for 32 spots In Little Rock. A consultant would delay the launch of Arkansas' medical marijuana initiative, but would also help allay public concerns after allegations of impropriety which arose during a previous licensing process. (AP Photo/Hannah Grabenstein)
The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission meets Monday, July 2, 2018, to discuss options for hiring an independent consultant to review about 230 dispensary applications for 32 spots In Little Rock. A consultant would delay the launch of Arkansas' medical marijuana initiative, but would also help allay public concerns after allegations of impropriety which arose during a previous licensing process. (AP Photo/Hannah Grabenstein)

LITTLE ROCK— An Arkansas panel has approved a rule that would allow it to hire an outside consultant to help review and score hundreds of applications the state has received from businesses that want to sell medical marijuana.

The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission on Thursday approved a rule that would allow hiring an outside consultant for reviewing the dispensary applications it has received. The panel can award 32 licenses under a constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana.

[VIDEO: Watch the meeting]

Officials on Tuesday formally awarded five licenses to grow medical marijuana. The state Supreme Court last month reversed a lower court decision that had prevented Arkansas from awarding the licenses.

The rule change is expected to go before lawmakers next week.

Read Friday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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