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Arkansas Supreme Court Hears Challenge To Medical Marijuana Ruling

Arkansas Supreme Court Lee Rudofsky
courts.arkansas.gov

The Arkansas Supreme Court heard oral arguments Thursday in a challenge by the state to a circuit judge’s order that halted the issuing of medical marijuana cultivation licenses. It was also revealed that investigators are looking into allegations that a bribe was offered by one company to a member of the Medical Marijuana Commission.

Pulaski County Circuit Judge Wendell Griffen ruled in March that the process for how the commission decided which companies would get five licenses was constitutionally flawed.

Attorney Jay Bequette
courts.arkansas.gov
Attorney Jay Bequette

Attorney Jay Bequette, representing a company that did not get a license, told justices Thursday there was “substantial evidence of arbitrary, capricious actions by the commission.” He said wrongdoing included “an abuse of discretion” and a process that was “corrupt because there were improper purposes because of these conflicts of interest.”

He faced skepticism from several on the court, including Associate Justice Rhonda Wood, who said administrative decisions, like what Griffen issued without hold a hearing, may not be appealed.

“We don’t get to the evidence; we don’t get to the facts; we have to have a legal standard. So our legal standard says there has to be a legal adjudication and the adjudication is (that) there’s notice, a hearing that occurs, that’s quasi-judicial in nature,” Wood said.

Attorney Casey Castleberry
Credit courts.arkansas.gov
Attorney Casey Castleberry

Attorney Casey Castleberry, who represents three companies that were selected to become growers, also reiterated that argument. He also said the five companies chosen by the Medical Marijuana Commission have a right now to be awarded the coveted licenses.

“At this point your honor, we believe that the MMC is required by Amendment 98 and by its own rules to issue the licenses. In fact, we already believe we’ve already been issued a license.” Castleberry also argued that Judge Griffen didn’t have jurisdiction in the case.

Arkansas Solicitor General Lee Rudofsky also questioned Griffen’s jurisdiction in the matter and told justices that Griffen’s ruling should be reversed.

“Part of the importance of the rules of standing and rules of subject matter under jurisdiction is to ensure this court doesn’t do that unless it’s absolutely required to, because this court isn’t a super-legislature or a super-administrative body,” Rudofsky said. “While this court might not be exactly happy with how the rules are or exactly happy with how the rules have been applied, that’s not really what this court is asking itself.”

No immediate ruling was made by the state’s highest court, which had agreed to hear the state’s appeal in an expedited manner because of the length of time needed to unveil the medical marijuana program by the end of the year.

Meanwhile Thursday, Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge's office said a member of the Medical Marijuana Commission is accusing an unsuccessful applicant for a cultivation license of trying to offer a bribe. The details were included in a previously sealed letter.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson
Credit Michael Hibblen / KUAR News
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KUAR News
Gov. Asa Hutchinson talking with reporters Thursday afternoon inside the governor's office at the Capitol.

In a meeting with reporters later in the day, Gov. Asa Hutchinson called the allegation disturbing.

“It should concern anybody if you have allegations of an attempted bribery and that’s exactly where we are right now. That does not imply wrongdoing by any commissioner, that’s wrongdoing by some outside force.”

The Attorney General’s office says the bribery allegation is being investigated by law enforcement.

Michael Hibblen was a journalist for KUAR News from May 2009 — December 2022. During his final 10 years with the station, he served as News Director. In January 2023, he was hired by Arkansas PBS to become its Senior Producer/ Director of Public Affairs.
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