The Arkansas Times reports
A Pulaski County judge struck down 27 changes lawmakers tried to make to the state medical marijuana amendment Wednesday, but cannabis consumers shouldn’t expect changes until more legal wrangling plays out.
Circuit Judge Chip Welch ruled the state legislature did not have the authority to make amendments to a state constitutional amendment approved by the voters in 2016. The legislature’s 27 amendments to the law included attempts to limit advertising and ban “combustible products” (anything you’d light on fire), like pre-rolled joints, bongs and chillums.
The office of Attorney General Tim Griffin, which represented the defendants in the case, plans to appeal the ruling to the state Supreme Court.
Because of this anticipated appeal, industry leaders say they’re holding off for now on launching pre-roll sales and doing other things legislators have tried to prevent.
Bill Paschall, executive director of the Arkansas Cannabis Industry Association, said he has told his members to carry on “business as usual” until they find out how the Supreme Court is going to rule on the stay.
Scott Hardin, spokesman for the state Alcoholic Beverage Control division, said his office would meet today to continue to sort out what the ruling means for the industry.
The 27 legislative amendments have limited the state medical marijuana industry by restricting advertising, limiting telehealth for medical marijuana patients and banning combustible products that can be sold in dispensaries. Casey Flippo, CEO of Dark Horse Medicinals, estimated that pre-rolls account for 8-10% of overall sales in other states.
Judge strikes down 27 legislative amendments to medical marijuana law
