LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- Tuesday was the first day the Medical Marijuana Commission was able to award five cultivation licenses for Arkansas.
Scott Hardin with the Medical Marijuana Commission said the process was stopped on March 14 after an injunction came down that put a temporary order on the process after an influx of complaints.
“For three months nothing happened, the cultivation licenses weren’t rewarded and the dispensary review didn't take place. For three months everyone has been waiting and wondering what's that next stop and when would the process get up and moving again,” he said.
Cultivation licenses were awarded to the following companies; Natural State Medicinals Cultivation, Bold Team, LLC, Natural State Wellness Enterprises, Osage Creek Cultivation, and Delta Medical Cannabis Company, Inc.
Now that they're all certified, they can start building.
“Before they put the seed in the ground we're going to have to check the facilities and make sure they meet the rules and regulations,” Hardin said.
Bold Team released a statement to THV11 that said: “We are excited to move forward and implement the will of the People to serve patients in the State of Arkansas. This will allow Bold to provide medical cannabis to qualifying patients in the summer of 2019 and for many years to come.”
Hardin said for the first time, the Medical Marijuana Commission can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
“We received 227 dispensary applications and out of those 227, 32 licenses will be awarded. There are eight regions in the state that will get them and each region gets four dispensary's. No matter where you are in the state, you will be a short drive from a dispensary,” he said.
Hardin said up to eight cultivation licenses can be awarded, so the commission will still hold on to the other 90 applicants, in case the demand for medical marijuana in Arkansas grows and they need to award three more licenses.