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Woodruff County Judge Michael John Gray, a former state representative who led the state Democratic Party for four years, will own a part of a West Memphis medical marijuana dispensary after the transaction received approval from state regulators on Thursday.
Gray was elected county judge as an independent in November 2022 with 51% of the vote against Republican state Rep. John Ball. Gray was the chair of the Democratic Party of Arkansas from 2017 to 2021.
On Thursday, the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission approved an ownership change at Delta Medical Cannabis Co. dispensary in West Memphis in which Gray will receive an 8.29% stake in the business from his mother, Penelope Stanley of Augusta.
The commission also approved the transfer of 20% of The Treatment dispensary in Pine Bluff from Darshan Patel to his father, Ishver Govind. Patel will retain a 2% stake in the company and will remain the managing member of the facility, according to documents filed with the commission.
The commission approved two ownership changes associated with Good Day Farm Arkansas, a cultivation facility in Pine Bluff. Joe Courtright, the former president and CEO of Arkansas-based pharmacy chain USA Drug, will sell his stake of 8.47% to 11 entities. Courtright, who had been the company’s largest shareholder along with Wendy LaFrance, will no longer own any portion of Good Day Farm.
Cathy Mackey will transfer a portion of her ownership in Good Day Farm to two entities but will retain an ownership stake of less than 2% in the company.
The commission was also set to hear ownership changes at Pine Bluff cannabis processor The Collective and Little Rock cannabis processor Dark Horse Medicinals. Both items were moved to the next meeting at the applicants’ request.
Commissioners also held a discussion about instituting rules for transfers of location, which the commission considers without clear guidelines for approval. Regulatory staff drafted rules last year following concerns by some residents about a lack of notice regarding the commission’s approval of a Pine Bluff dispensary’s move to Prairie County. Those rules were never formally considered by the commission, which allowed industry officials to offer input today before new rules are drafted.
Michael Langley, an attorney who represents The Source dispensary in Rogers, suggested posting notifications on premises where dispensaries exist as well as where they intend to relocate to. Langley, who is a former director of the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Division, asked commissioners last month to rescind a decision that allowed a Eureka Springs dispensary to move to Springdale.
Bill Paschall, executive director of the Arkansas Cannabis Industry Association, told commissioners there is not complete agreement among his members about what the rules should be for relocation. Paschall said his members do agree there should be consistency and certainty in the relocation process.
Robbin Rahman, a lawyer and Arkansas cannabis industry executive, told commissioners relocations should start with a presumption of denial, requiring the applicants to provide evidence that relocation is warranted. Applicants can appeal commission decisions to the commission or in circuit court, Rahman said. Non-license holders, like residents and other impacted businesses, don’t have the right to appeal in those circumstances.
“}]] Woodruff County Judge Michael John Gray will own a part of a West Memphis medical marijuana dispensary. Read More
