An Arkansas business owner associated with a nationwide chain of hemp stores, Roger Crawford, is speaking out against two bills that he believes are intended to shut down the hemp industry. Senate Bill 533 would regulate the industry under Arkansas Tobacco Control, while Senate Bill 605 would impose a 50% excise tax on hemp-derived THC products. Crawford and SunMed’s general counsel, Eduardo Roman, support regulation and taxation but oppose the way these bills are structured. They cite a regulatory system in Georgia that had industry input as a model to follow.
Rep. Tyler Dees, the lead sponsor of the bills, has not included Crawford in discussions on the issue, despite his requests. Dees argues that the bills are necessary to protect consumers, particularly children, from harmful THC products. The hemp industry has faced legal challenges in Arkansas before, with a past ban on hemp-derived THC products being temporarily lifted by a federal judge.
Critics of the bills, including Abtin Mehdizadegan, believe they may violate federal law and target the hemp industry unfairly. Crawford, whose businesses stand to be negatively impacted by the bills, argues that the proposed fees and restrictions would force him out of business. Others in the cannabis industry, including the Arkansas Cannabis Industry Association, are divided on the issue, with concerns about unregulated markets affecting regulated medical marijuana businesses.
The bills are set to be discussed in the House Rules Committee, with Crawford and others in the industry expected to voice their opposition. Supporters of the bills argue they are necessary to protect consumers and maintain the reputation of the medical marijuana industry.
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