WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 1889

An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in pupils and attendance, further providing for when provided.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Valerie Gaydos and 5 co-sponsors

HB 1889 would let dispensaries deliver usable marijuana to qualified patients or caregivers by vehicle or drive‑through, with ID checks, packaging, and delivery tickets.

Referred to Education
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1889

Summary — HB 1889 (Introduced 2025) — Dispensary access and authorized deliveries

Note on source material: The bill text provided contains inconsistencies (a header referencing an appropriation for City of Byram and fragments of unrelated measures). This summary focuses on the substantive bill language included in the version text — an Arkansas measure that would amend access rules for cultivation facilities/dispensaries and add statutory authority for dispensary deliveries via vehicle and drive‑through. The bill was introduced January 16, 2025, and listed as Died In Committee.

Purpose / intent

HB 1889 would (1) revise limitations and procedures for visitor access to restricted areas of cannabis cultivation facilities and dispensaries, and (2) authorize dispensaries to deliver usable marijuana to qualified patients or designated caregivers by (a) delivery vehicle to residential addresses and (b) a drive‑through window at the dispensary, subject to specified security, packaging, and identification requirements.

Key provisions

  1. Visitor access to restricted areas (amendment to Ark. Code § 20‑56‑303(b))

    • Visitors may be allowed into restricted areas only if they:
      • Present government‑issued identification at entry;
      • Wear a visitor designation tag at all times;
      • Are escorted by authorized personnel at all times in restricted areas;
      • Are not minors (with specific parental/caregiver exceptions below);
      • Have been invited by management personnel.
    • Facilities must maintain:
      • A log book recording each visitor’s name, address, and purpose of visit; and
      • Video surveillance of restricted areas.
    • Parental/caregiver exceptions:
      • A parent with a registry card or a designated caregiver registry card may bring their child(ren) into a dispensary or cultivation facility to purchase usable marijuana.
      • A parent without such a card may accompany a child who has a registry card for the purpose of purchasing usable marijuana for that child.

  2. New statutory section — Authorized deliveries by dispensary (proposed Ark. Code § 20‑56‑309)

    • Delivery via vehicle to a qualified patient or designated caregiver:
      • Deliveries permitted only on the date the order is processed.
      • A delivery manifest must accompany the vehicle.
      • Each order must be separately packaged and include a delivery ticket listing all products and the purchaser’s name and registry ID information.
      • Delivery driver must visually confirm the purchaser’s registry ID matches the delivery ticket before handing over product.
      • A delivery vehicle may be staffed by a single dispensary employee if additional security (e.g., GPS, real‑time camera monitoring) is in place.
    • Delivery via drive‑through window at dispensary:
      • Drive‑through deliveries permitted only on the order processing date.
      • Only patients with previously submitted online orders may use drive‑through service.
      • Each delivery must be separately packaged in an opaque exit bag and accompanied by a delivery ticket with purchaser and registry ID details.
      • Employee must visually confirm registry ID matches the ticket before delivery.
      • Drive‑through physical/security requirements:
      • Tinted window so interior is not visible from outside;
      • Secure from unauthorized access;
      • Use a bank‑style delivery drawer for exchange of registry ID, payment, and packaged product.
    • Rulemaking: Alcoholic Beverage Control Division authorized to promulgate rules to implement the delivery provisions.

Who would be affected

  • Dispensaries and cultivation facilities (operations, security systems, recordkeeping, staff training).
  • Qualified patients and designated caregivers (access options — home delivery or drive‑through).
  • Delivery drivers and dispensary security/compliance officers.
  • Alcoholic Beverage Control Division (rulemaking and enforcement responsibilities).
  • Potentially law enforcement and local zoning authorities (if local ordinances intersect).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Increases patient convenience and access by allowing home delivery and drive‑through pickup, with built‑in verification and packaging safeguards.
  • Requires dispensaries to implement or enhance recordkeeping, ID verification, surveillance, packaging, and vehicle monitoring — potential compliance costs.
  • Permits limited single‑employee deliveries where enhanced vehicle security is provided (may lower staffing needs but increase tech/security requirements).
  • Contains privacy and child‑access safeguards (opaque bags, ID verification, restrictions on minors entering restricted areas except in narrow caregiving contexts).
  • Gives regulatory agency authority to adopt implementing rules, which would shape operational detail and enforcement.

Procedural status

  • Introduced: January 16, 2025.
  • Sponsors: Rep. Pilkington; Sen. J. Bryant; listed also SAIKI (primary).
  • Related/companion bills: HB 276 (companion), SB 2231 (companion).
  • Final disposition: Died In Committee (did not advance into law).

If you want, I can:
- Produce a redlined comparison showing exactly what current Arkansas law would change,
- Draft a concise one‑page memo assessing compliance costs for a typical dispensary, or
- Extract and summarize only the delivery provisions for operational guidance.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.