Is the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission Smoking What They Regulate?
Dec 10, 2024
Residents File Lawsuit
A lawsuit filed against Speakeasy Dispensary LLC, (A/K/A Dark Horse Cannabis), the AR Medical Marijuana Commission, (MMC), and the AR Alcoholic Beverage Control Division, (ABC), by a group of Prairie County residents on October 31st of this year has surprisingly flown under the radar of the media.
On August 20th, 2023, Speakeasy CEO, Casey Flippo, submitted a “Transfer of Location Application” to the MMC to move the dispensary to 11618 Newberry Drive Ward AR which is in Prairie County.
Despite opposition from local residents the MMC approved the transfer on October 1st of this year prompting the filing of the lawsuit by the residents through their attorneys Robert Ballinger and Travis Story.
In the suit the Plaintiffs allege fraud on behalf of Speakeasy and Malfeasance along with incompetence by the MMC and the ABC.
In Count 1and 2 against Speakeasy, the suit claims that during their presentation to the MMC at their meeting on October 1st, Speakeasy made fraudulent statements to the commission when presenting a petition that they claimed had 250 signatures of support from Prairie County residents.
The suit claims that the petition gathered the signatures at Jordans Quick Stop in Beebe AR in White County located two counties away from the proposed Speakeasy location and the signatures were not by Prairie County residents.
Count 3 alleges the MMC violated the Open Meeting laws contained in the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act by not providing public notice of the MMC meeting on October 1st.
By doing so, the suit claims that the meeting was invalid, and all actions taken should be void.
Count 4 & 5 claim that the MMC and ABC unconstitutionally approved Speakeasy when they renewed the license of the dispensary on May 16th, 2024.
The suit states that the ABC failed to obtain information that showed Speakeasy was not eligible or licensed to do business in Arkansas because at the time Speakeasy owed taxes to the State in violation of the State Constitution and MMC rules.
The suit claims that the ABC failed to obtain this information and presented to the MMC that there were no issues with Speakeasy.
Below is the Plaintiffs Jury demand and conclusion.
My sources tell me that there is much more information that, when released, will show actions by the MMC to be corrupt.
This is a very interesting case and one we here at Arkansas 1st will continue to follow and bring you updates.
You can see all the Court documents at this link
Professional Bully Fighter I investigate and report on issues around the State of Arkansas with an emphasis on Government. I am strong conservative however I bring Truth and Facts regardless of Party affiliation….My hashtag is #FactsNotFiction
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