LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – The Arkansas attorney general’s office says a member
of the commission that awards licenses to grow medical marijuana has accused an
unsuccessful applicant of trying to bribe him.
The state Supreme Court on Thursday released a previously sealed letter from
Attorney General Leslie Rutledge’s office that detailed the bribery allegation,
most of which Rutledge’s office said remains unsubstantiated and is being
investigated by law enforcement. The court on Wednesday issued an order that
said only attorneys in the case regarding the state’s medical marijuana
licensing program could view the letter.
In the letter, Rutledge said a member of the state Medical Marijuana
Commission claimed he was offered a bribe by Natural State Agronomics, which had
applied unsuccessfully for a license. The commissioner, who wasn’t named, said
he didn’t accept the bribe but did not report it. Attorneys for Natural State
Agronomics did not immediately messages Thursday afternoon.
Justices heard oral arguments over a judge’s decision to prevent Arkansas from
issuing cultivation licenses. The judge sided with another unsuccessful
applicant, Naturalis Health LLC.
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