Board to discuss fees, rules for medical pot

If approved, annual licenses could range from $11,250 to $50,000

An ordinance establishing licensing fees for medical marijuana businesses is on the agenda of the Texarkana, Ark., Board of Directors’ next meeting, rescheduled for noon Wednesday.

If the board approves, medical marijuana cultivation facilities will pay the city an initial business license fee of $50,000 and thereafter $50,000 a year for renewal. Medical marijuana dispensaries would pay $7,500 for an initial license and renew each year for $11,250 plus 25 percent of their average inventory for the preceding 12 months.

The ordinance also establishes other rules for medical pot businesses, including fines for noncompliance with licensing requirements.

An emergency clause is attached to the measure, allowing a vote on it after only one

reading if two-thirds of the board give permission.

The board will also consider an ordinance that would set new rules regarding what action items are allowed on meeting agendas.

To put an item on the agenda, a board member would have to submit it to the city manager by 5 p.m. on the second Wednesday before the meeting. Any item submitted less than seven days before the meeting would not be included on the agenda.

Submitted items would be distributed to the city attorney and city government department heads for comment. The city manager would then consider any staff comments, and by 5 p.m. on the Wednesday before the meeting, categorize the item as either “staff recommends approval” or “staff does not recommend approval.”

Any item not recommended for approval would not be included on the meeting agenda. Instead, the city manager would schedule a workshop on the item within 30 days. If after the workshop at least two board members endorse the item, it would be considered at the next meeting.

Any matter voted on could not be reconsidered for 180 days unless two-thirds of the board voted to allow revisiting it earlier.

Also at Wednesday’s meeting, the board is expected to vote on an ordinance updating the public works department’s fee schedule.

The agenda includes a citizen communication time, during which residents may address the board on any subject for up to five minutes each.

The meeting is at City Hall, 216 Walnut St.