Responsible Growth raises $1.25 million in June, cultivators lead the way July 15, 2022 By Griffin Coop The industry-backed group trying to legalize recreational marijuana in Arkansas raised $1.25 million last month, including $350,000 each from three of the state’s cultivators, according to documents filed with the state Ethics Commission. Responsible Growth Arkansas, which submitted signatures to the Secretary of State’s office last week, raised $350,000 each from BOLD Team LLC, Good Day Farm Arkansas LLC and Osage Creek Cultivation LLC last month. That raises the total contribution of the three cultivators to $700,000 each. The other largest donations came from GL Partners of West Memphis, which donated $100,000, and NEA Full Spectrum Medicine LLC of Piggott, which donated $75,000, according to the report. Responsible Growth has raised a total of $3.26 million and spent $3.03 million with a balance of $226,263 as of June 30 when the reporting period ended, according to the report. The group spent $1.32 million last month with the largest expenditure being a payment of $822,450 to Advanced Micro Targeting Inc. of Dallas for the ballot signature process. Responsible Growth also paid $323,779 to Verified Arkansas, LLC, for the ballot signature process last month. The other largest expenditures were $77,177 to Wright, Lindsey & Jennings LLP for legal services and $49,648 to Kiski Legal LLC for advertising. Responsible Growth Arkansas needs 89,151 signatures to qualify for the November ballot. The group turned in more than 192,000 signatures last week, which the Secretary of State’s office has 30 days to verify. The group’s proposed amendment, known as the Arkansas Adult Use Cannabis Amendment, must also be certified by the Arkansas Board of Election Commissioners within 30 of the submission of the signatures. The proposed amendment would legalize marijuana for recreational marijuana use for individuals 21 and older and would increase the maximum number of cultivators from eight to 20 and the maximum number of dispensaries from 40 to 120. The amendment would not allow residents to grow their own plants. Responsible Growth Chairman Eddie Armstrong referred questions to the group’s lawyer, Steve Lancaster, who did not immediately return a request for comment.
