MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Enforcement Division has arrested eight former employees of a Helena medical marijuana dispensary, one of whom was also a Helena Police Officer.
The employees all worked for Green Light Dispensary in Helena. ABC Enforcement investigators said the workers created fake transactions to obtain medical marijuana that was allotted to patients who were elderly, deceased, out of area, or in jail or prison.
Investigators said the employees would also allow people without a medical marijuana card to come into the dispensary and buy products under a legitimate patient account.
The ABC said April Jones, Shameka Wright, Gerald W. Jennings, Lauren Delk, Austen Delk, Taylor Perkins, and Demario Rose were charged with obtaining drugs by fraud, a Class D felony.
The ABC said Greg McDaniel, a former Helena Police Department officer, was charged with obtaining drugs by fraud, Class D felony; use of a communication device, class c felony; and delivery of a controlled substance, Class A misdemeanor. The ABC said McDaniel resigned from his position as a police officer as a result of the investigation.
John Mueller, CEO/Co-Founder of Greenlight, issued the following statement to ABC24: "This matter came to our attention in January of this year, and we immediately terminated the employees involved and began working with the Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Enforcement Division, the Arkansas Marijuana Medical Commission and local law enforcement on this investigation. Greenlight’s primary focus is protecting patients and their access to legal cannabis as well as supporting a fully regulated market."
“ABC enforcement is committed to compliance in our medical marijuana program through licensee education and data driven enforcement policy,” said ABC Enforcement Director David Potter. “However, instances of diversion, fraud, and theft will be proactively investigated and criminal charges will be sought to remove bad actors, regardless of their position or influence.”
“Medical marijuana is a regulated product in Arkansas, and its distribution must strictly comply with all applicable laws,” said DFA Secretary Jim Hudson, which includes ABC. “Whenever those working in the industry illegally divert a licensed product or engage in fraud, ABC will act swiftly to protect the public.”
Investigators said more people could be arrested in connection with this case. They ask anyone with information, or anyone who thinks they have been a victim of allotment fraud, to call ABC Enforcement at 501-682-8174 or abc.enforcement@dfa.arkansas.gov.
