Commission receives notice of floor plan changes, approves change to ownership documents

The commissioners received notice that River Valley Relief Cultivation of Fort Smith and Harvest dispensary of Conway would be changing their floor plans. The notice items did not require any action by the commission. 

The routine notice item was a sign of life for River Valley Relief, the Fort Smith cultivation facility that has been imperiled since a judge ruled last month that the state erred when it issued the license to River Valley. 

A few hours before the commission meeting, the Supreme Court granted a stay in the case that has called River Valley’s cultivation license into question. 

Last month, Pulaski County Circuit Judge Herb Wright ruled that the commission had erred when it awarded a license to River Valley and owner Storm Nolan in 2020. The Supreme Court order Thursday will allow River Valley to continue operating as the court considers the appeal. The court also said it would expedite its review of the case. 

Earlier this week, Alcoholic Beverage Control Division Director Doralee Chandler revoked Nolan’s license at the conclusion of an hour-long revocation hearing. A few hours later, Nolan appealed the decision, imposing an immediate stay on the license revocation. Nolan’s appeal will go before the ABC board, which next meets on Dec. 21. 

In other business Thursday, the commission voted unanimously to approve a correction to the ownership documents of Fayetteville HOH, which owns Acanza dispensary in Fayetteville. Cathy Mackey owns the largest share of the business at 26.3% through two business entities, the documents show. 

Commission chairman James Miller thanked commissioners Kevin Russell and J.P. Mobley for their service on the commission, since their terms are expiring at the end of the year. Mobley said she thought her term was set to expire in March. Commission spokesman Scott Hardin said ABC officials will check the expiration of Mobley’s term.