Panel allows 3 dispensaries to move

The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission on Wednesday permitted three dispensary moves.

Big Fish of North Central Arkansas will move about a mile from the Heber Springs location it proposed in its license application to 3001 Arkansas 25 Business North in Heber Springs.

Alex Gray, a company attorney, told the commission that the move was because of the expiration of a real estate agreement during the prolonged licensing process.

River Valley Dispensary will move from its proposed Yell County location to West Shady Lane in Morrilton.

Gray, who also represented River Valley Dispensary, said the new location will be more convenient for patients by balancing where the four dispensaries are located in Zone 4, which stretches across west-central Arkansas from Conway County to Sebastian County.

Johnson County Dispensary will move across Clarksville to 131 Massengale Road in Clarksville.

Gray, who also represented Johnson County Dispensary, said a real estate contract issue forced the dispensary to seek a new location within Clarksville.

The commission denied a request from the Natural State Medical Group dispensary in Hot Springs to operate its limited growing area at an off-site location. It also tabled a decision on a location change request from Noah’s Ark at 3955 Mount Holly Road in El Dorado, pending proof that the dispensary would be far enough from a nearby church.

Doralee Chandler, director of the Alcoholic Beverage Control agency, told commissioners that Arkansas’ third dispensary is expected to open this week. A final inspection is scheduled for next Tuesday at a fourth dispensary.

Chandler said she hopes there will be five operating dispensaries in Arkansas by the end of June. At present, there are only two dispensaries open for business and they are both in Garland County.