Section 19. Medical Marijuana Commission -- Creation
Medical Marijuana Commission -- Creation
(a)
(1) There is created a Medical Marijuana Commission within the Department of Finance and Administration to determine the qualifications for receiving a license to operate a dispensary or a license to operate a cultivation facility and the awarding of licenses.
(2) Each member of the commission shall serve a term of four (4) years.
(3) The commission shall consist of five (5) members as follows:
(A) Two (2) members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;
(B) Two (2) members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and
(C) One (1) member appointed by the Governor.
(4) Vacancies on the commission shall be filled in the manner of the original appointment.
(5) The commission shall select one (1) of its members as chair.
(6) An affirmative vote of a majority of a quorum present shall be necessary to transact business.
(b)
(1)
(A) One (1) of the initial members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall serve a term of two (2) years and one (1) of the initial members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall serve a term of four (4) years.
(B) The initial members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall draw lots to determine which member shall serve a term of two (2) years.
(2)
(A) One (1) of the initial members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall serve a term of two (2) years and one (1) of the initial members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall serve a term of four (4) years.
(B) The initial members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall draw lots to determine which member shall serve a term of two (2) years.
(3) The initial member appointed by the Governor shall serve a term of four (4) years.
(4) All subsequent persons appointed to the commission shall serve a term of four (4) years.
(c) A member of the commission shall be:
(1) A citizen of the United States;
(2) A resident of the State of Arkansas for at least ten (10) years preceding his or her appointment;
(3) A qualified elector;
(4) At least twenty-five (25) years of age; and
(5) Have no economic interest in a dispensary or cultivation facility.
(d)
(1) The commission, by a majority vote of the total membership of the commission cast during its first regularly scheduled meeting of each calendar year, may authorize payment to its members of a stipend not to exceed eighty-five dollars ($85.00) per day for each meeting attended or for any day while performing any proper business of the commission.
(2) Members of the commission shall receive no other compensation, expense reimbursement, or in-lieu-of payments.
(e)
(1) The commission may employ staff necessary to assist in the performance of its duties under this amendment.
(2) The Alcoholic Beverage Control Division shall provide staff for the commission if the commission does not have employees available for that purpose.
(f)
(1) Initial members of the commission shall be appointed within thirty (30) days of the effective date of this section.
(2) The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall call the first meeting of the commission, which shall occur within forty-five (45) days of the effective date of this section.