In preparation for the upcoming dispensary agent training seminar, we’ve pieced together the key rules and regulations you need to know to work in an Arkansas medical cannabis dispensary or cultivation facility.
Key information:
- You DO NOT need to be an Arkansas resident
- Must be at least 21 years old
- Must not have been convicted of an excluded felony offense
- Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Division (ABCD) will review court records
- Sealed or pardoned offenses don’t count
- Violation of state or federal controlled substance law that was classified as a felony in the jurisdiction where convicted. (10 years or longer is OK)
- Must not have a registry identification card revoked in the previous five years
- Have to register with the ABC to obtain a Registry Identification Card
- Must cooperate with the ABC for inspections
- You will have access to silent alarms
- You have to wear your state registration card or keep it accessible at all times
Personal info and forms required:
- Legal name
- Date of birth
- Current employment info and intended position
- Criminal history information
- Completed Notice of Intent to Hire form from the license holder
- Notarized Authority to Release Information form
- Arkansas State Police background check
- Fingerprints for an FBI background check
- Agency Privacy Requirements for Noncriminal Justice Applicants
- Noncriminal Justice Applicant’s Privacy Rights form
$100 Registration Fee:
$50 – half on application and half on approval. Cards not sent until both background check results received and entire $50 received
Hiring process:
- Cultivation facility completes a Notice of Intent to Hire form
- No work allowed until your registry identification card is sent from the ABC
- You can work at multiple facilities, but you will need separate cards
Records kept for ABCD:
- Name
- Detailed job description
- Training records
- Days worked and time off
- Disciplinary action and causes
- Dispensary agent
- Includes anyone working at a dispensary
Role in selling medical cannabis:
- Verify the identity of the patient
- Verify the validity of their medical cannabis card
- Enter the patient’s registry identification number into the inventory tracking system
- Verify they are current with the ADH
- Verify they’re not obtaining more than 2.5 oz. in a fourteen-day period
- Enter the purchase info into the Inventory Tracking System
- If you deliver, you must have a valid driver’s license
Want to learn more? Ready for a career in medical cannabis?
We’ve tailor-built a training program to teach you the essential skills to professionally and compassionately consult critically ill patients and anticipate their needs. Click here to reserve your seat today!
Am interested in working at dispensery or cultivation.
I’d love to work in this field simply for the benefits it privideo to those suffering
I am so bummed I missed this event…is there another one here in Northwest Arkansas?
Michelle, we have a training event in the works for Little Rock next (first half of March). We don’t have any firm dates yet for Northwest Arkansas. Have a great Wednesday.
So can non violent felons off parole work in the biz
It depends if the felony is still on your record. According to the ABC regulations: Any person who has been convicted of an excluded felony offense is disqualified.
“Excluded felony offense” means:
(a)(i)(a)A felony offense as determined by the jurisdiction where the felony offense occurred.
(b) The Medical Marijuana Commission, the Department of Health, or the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division shall determine whether an offense is a felony offense based upon a review of the relevant court records concerning the conviction for the offense.
ABC – 3
ii. An offense that has been sealed by a court or for which a pardon has been granted is not considered an excluded felony offense; or
(b) A violation of state or federal controlled-substance law that was classified as a felony in the jurisdiction where the person was convicted, but not including:
i. An offense for which the sentence, including any term of probation, incarceration, or supervised release, was completed ten (10) or more years earlier; or
ii. An offense that has been sealed by a court or for which a pardon has been granted.
Where can I find a list of felony crimes that will bar you from working in the arkansas cannibus industry?…I have been convicted of felony burglary, 13 years ago. Dose this disqualify me?
Johnny, it’s a little unclear. Here’s the definition from the ABC rules and regulations:
“Excluded felony offense” means:
(a)(i)(a)A felony offense as determined by the jurisdiction where the felony offense occurred.
(b) The Medical Marijuana Commission, the Department of Health, or the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division shall determine whether an offense is a felony offense based upon a review of the relevant court records concerning the conviction for the offense.
ABC – 3
ii. An offense that has been sealed by a court or for which a pardon has been granted is not considered an excluded felony offense; or
(b) A violation of state or federal controlled-substance law that was classified as a felony in the jurisdiction where the person was convicted, but not including:
i. An offense for which the sentence, including any term of probation, incarceration, or supervised release, was completed ten (10) or more years earlier; or
ii. An offense that has been sealed by a court or for which a pardon has been granted.
Are medical marijuana patients able to work in the industry?
Good question – definitely – medical cannabis patients can work in the industry.
I live in louisiana but have a home in arkansas east of mena. I prev owned a lawn and garden outdoor power equipment store. I have developed some illness that motivated me to do an extensive amount of research on med cannabis over last 4 years and would like to know steps to take to work in this industry asap
Thank you for any help
Ricky
Ricky, thanks for getting in touch with us. Right now, there’s not much hiring going on because of the court case delay, but we hope that changes soon.
Will a 28 year old felony possession charge , that was dismissed 10 yrs ago prevent me from working at a dispensary?
Pat, as best as we can tell, that would not prevent you from working at a dispensary.