Thread by @KATVMarine

NOW: The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission is meeting right now - Commissioner Travis Story is currently addressing the commission regarding bias that was alleged at last week's legislative meeting. He said he does not represent one of the applicants. #arnews #arpx @KATVNews

Story: "Last time I did any billing was in 2016 before the amendment passed and the commission was created." "I don't believe the affidavit of bias is even applicable." #arnews #arpx @KATVNews

Chairwoman Dr. Ronda Henry-Tillman: I did not get the invitation to last week's meeting, on time, but I did watch and was concerned about some of the issues discussed. #arnews #arpx

The commission is now discussing zones and the distribution of dispensaries depending on the amount of Arkansans have received cards for their conditions and population in counties. #arnews #arpx She says it looks disbursed equally.

Sen. Bart Hester has just joined the Medical Marijuana Commission meeting. #arnews #arpx

Sen. Bill Sample is in attendance - it's hard to hear him, at times, but he's discussing how some legislators are displeased with the medical marijuana program. #arnews #arpx "We would like all of the dispensary licenses given out." (That was heard clearly)

Sen. Sample: A dispensary is having issues with supply. #arnews #arpx @KATVNews

Chairwoman Dr. Tillman is reading a letter about the issues of supply to dispensaries - and some have cited being scared to say anything for fear of retaliation. It's a letter that was sent to Sen. Sample. #arnews #arpx

The letter was sent from the owner of Green Springs Medical Center in Hot Springs - to the commission and some legislators. The owner says cultivators are not willing to sell product to him. #arnews #arpx

*Keep in mind* Some lawmakers last week, during a committee meeting, said some cultivators are cutting off supply to dispensaries - to make sure their own dispensary has enough supply. At least one cultivation owner also owns a dispensary. #arnew #arpx

Sen. Linda Chesterfield (also in attendance): Let the free market work - "It's just as simple as that for me." The price needs to be brought down so people can afford their medicine. "This was the people's initiative, not the rich guys initiative." #arnews #arpx

Sen. Alan Clark (also in attendance): I discussed shortages with a dispensary owner - "I have been contacted by those who want their licenses and have not been granted them..." #arnews #arpx

Sen. Clark: I spent the last weeks with a friend diagnosed with ALS - he hated marijuana - "I think he was even a little bit embarrassed to tell me he was using...He told me that when he uses it that afterwards for a short time he regains muscle functions." #arnews #arpx

Sen. Clark talks about another friend and he says these are the people he is here for - not for people who get a card "just to smoke dope" #arnews #arpx

Sen. Hester: I have not had one contact/medical marijuana users reach out to me and discuss a shortage in supply or pricing issue. He says, trust me, constituents know how to get a hold of their legislators. #arnews #arpx

Chairwoman Dr. Tillman: "I don't know how many motions I made last time to try and open everything...I asked you all to think about it...I hope you had the time to look at this decision...We have been charged with this decision." #arnews #arpx

At the last meeting - Dr. Tillman motioned to release the 2 cultivator licenses and 7 dispensary licenses that remain available, but it failed 3-2. #arnews #arpx

I can't see who just said they want to motion - but a commissioner is trying to motion to release the licenses. Commissioner Story: I thought it was about supply and not pricing? #arnews #arpx

Commissioner Story is claiming that some dispensaries in northwest Arkansas are cheaper than across the border (Oklahoma). He said this is NOT a free market, we are capped at how many licenses we can grant. #arnews #arpx

Commissioner Story: There is no guarantee that if we issue all licenses that it will bring down the cost. #arnews #arpx

Commissioner Story claims the demand is going down due to #COVID19 - But DF&A reported to @KATVNews from March 12 - March 14, sales surpassed $1.6 million for that three day period. #arnews #arpx

BREAKING: The motion passed - the commission will release the 2 remaining cultivation licenses. Commissioner Story voted NO. (I'm fairly certain he was the only NO vote I heard) #arnews #arpx @KATVNews

Commissioner Story is asking the commission to considering holding off on the remaining dispensary licenses - as they continue to assess population and the demand (based on # of medical marijuana card holders per zone) #arnews #arpx

Just to clarify - the motion for the cultivation licenses passed 3-2 ... Commissioner Kevin Russell also voted NO. #arnews #arpx @KATVNews

Commissioner Story motions to release two dispensary licenses - one in zone 1 and another in zone 5 #arnews #arpx @KATVNews

Commissioner Story withdraws the motion - Chairwoman Dr. Tillman motions for zone 1,3,5 #arnews #arpx @KATVNews

Ok... now the motion is withdrawn - she wanted an explanation and to be clear which counties these zones are located in... #arnews #arpx

Dr. Tillman motioned to release four more dispensary licenses - #arnews #arpx

BREAKING: The motion passes 4-1 - The Medical Marijuana Commission will release four more dispensary licenses in the zones listed below: #arnews #arpx

Zone 1 - Washington County
Zone 2 - Fulton County
Zone 3 - Mississippi County
Zone 5 - Pulaski County

That's now a total of 8 cultivation licenses released and 37 dispensary licenses. Just three dispensary licenses remain. #arnews #arpx @KATVNews