Medical-‘ pot’ delay clears Senate 26- 0

The Senate on Thursday approved a measure that would delay implementation of the voter- approved medicalmarijuana constitutional amendment.

In a 26- 0 vote, the Senate sent an amended version of House Bill 1026 by Rep. Doug House, R- North Little Rock, to the House. The Senate amended the bill by adding Sen. Greg Standridge, R- Russellville, as a co- sponsor.

HB1026 would require state Department of Health, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division and the Medical Marijuana Commission to adopt rules to implement provisions of the medical- marijuana amendment within 180 days of the amendment’s effective date on Nov. 9. The original deadline required these state entities to adopt the rules within 120 days of Nov. 9. Thus, the bill would extend the deadline from March 9 to May 8.

The bill is aimed at allowing the Medical Marijuana Commission the time it needs to come up with sufficient regulations for growers and dispensaries and to allow public comment, according to House.

HB1026 also would require the commission to begin accepting applications for licenses to operate a dispensary and cultivation facility by July 1. The original date in the amendment was June 1.