Coalition aims to be leading voice for new industry
A coalition of leaders in the health care, agricultural and legal sectors has formed the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Association, an industry group for corporations and individuals involved in the state’s new medical marijuana economy.
The association aims to be the leading voice for medical marijuana cultivators, distributors and businesses that serve the industry in the state, the group announced in a news release. The association will engage in the policy-making process, educate licensees on best practices and conduct public education initiatives.
“Our association will be a partnership of all those with a common interest in ensuring the state stays true to the will of the voters and medical marijuana operations are run safely and legally,” said David Couch, board member and acting executive director of the association.
A seven-member board will oversee the group. Board members are:
n Dr. Steven Cathey, chairman, a neurosurgeon and chairman of the Arkansas State Medical Board.
David Couch, partner at David A. Couch PLLC. Couch authored Amendment 98 to legalize medical marijuana and directed the statewide campaign to pass the constitutional amendment.
Stephen LaFrance, former executive vice president of Arkansas-based USA Drug, which was the nation’s largest privately owned pharmacy chain when it sold its 157 pharmacies to Walgreens in 1992.
Dustin McDaniel, partner at the Little Rock law firm McDaniel, Richardson and Calhoun. McDaniel was a twoterm state attorney general. As a legislator, he was chairman of the Joint Committee on Health Insurance and Prescription Drugs.
Dr. Richard Douglas, managing partner at PMK Associates, a Virginia-based marketing and communications firm. Dr. Douglas is a former assistant deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture under President Reagan and member of President George H.W. Bush’s Export Advisory Council.
Kris Krane, president of 4Front Ventures, a holding company with subsidiaries that have developed best-practice operating standards for retail medical marijuana dispensaries.
Dan Roda, general counsel and development lead at Rock Capital Group. Roda provides legal and consulting services to start-ups, private individuals and closely held companies on matters including corporate and securities law, mergers and acquisitions, cannabis industry regulation, and estate and tax planning.
Full membership is open to medical marijuana cultivators and distributors, with associate memberships available to businesses and organizations related to the industry.
Membership applications and more information about the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Association will be forthcoming on the association’s website, ARMedicalMarijuana. org. If interested in applying to become a member, email members@armedicalmarijuana.org.
Amendment 98 of the Arkansas Constitution, known as the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment, was ratified by the state’s voters last November. The state Medical Marijuana Commission is accepting applications for cultivation licenses. Deadline for applications is Sept. 18.