§ 20-56-404 — [See Note] Permits

(a) (1) Each person listed in this section, before commencing business, or if already in business, before continuing business, shall pay an annual privilege fee and secure a permit from the Director of Arkansas Tobacco Control. (2) A person purchasing an existing permitted retail location may, with the permission of the seller and Arkansas Tobacco Control, operate under the selling owner's permit for no more than thirty (30) days from the date of the sale. (b) (1) In addition to securing a permit under subsection (a) of this section, a manufacturer whose products are sold in this state shall register with the Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration. (2) A wholesaler of hemp-derived products shall secure the proper wholesale permit. (3) Every retailer of hemp-derived products that operates a place of business shall secure the proper retail permit. (c) (1) Permits shall be issued as follows: (A) A permit for a sole proprietorship is issued in the owner's name and in the fictitious business name, if any; (B) (i) A permit for a partnership or limited liability company is issued in the name of: (a) The managing partner or managing member; and (b) The partnership or limited liability company. (ii) If the managing partner or managing member of a limited liability company is a partnership, limited liability company, or corporation, then the permit shall be issued in the name of: (a) The president or chief executive officer; and (b) The partnership or limited liability company; and (C) A permit for a publicly traded or nonpublicly traded corporation is issued in the name of the president or chief executive officer of the corporation and in the name of the corporation. (2) It is a violation for a permitted entity not to provide written notification to the director within thirty (30) days of a change in the following: (A) The managing partner, limited liability company managing member, or president or chief executive officer of a corporation, partnership, or limited liability company; or (B) The stockholders effecting twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the total voting shares of a nonpublicly traded corporation. (d) (1) When an entity transfers a business permitted under this subchapter, the entity to which the business is transferred: (A) Shall apply for a new permit under this subchapter; (B) May be issued a new permit under this subchapter; and (C) May operate under the selling entity's permit for no more than thirty (30) days from the date of the sale. (2) When a partnership or limited liability company permitted under this subchapter changes, removes, or replaces the managing partner, managing member, president, or chief executive officer: (A) The existing permit issued under this subchapter is void; and (B) The partnership or limited liability company: (i) Shall apply for a new permit under this subchapter; (ii) May be issued a new permit under this subchapter; and (iii) May operate under the voided permit for no more than thirty (30) days from the date of the change, removal, or replacement of the permit. (3) When a nonpublicly traded corporation permitted under this subchapter changes, removes, or replaces the president or chief executive officer named on the permit or changes, removes, or replaces a stockholder who owns fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting shares of the nonpublicly traded corporation's stock: (A) The permit issued under this subchapter is void; and (B) The nonpublicly traded corporation: (i) Shall apply for a new permit under this subchapter; (ii) May be issued a new permit under this subchapter; and (iii) May operate under the voided permit for no more than thirty (30) days from the date of the change, removal, or replacement of the permit. (4) When a publicly traded corporation permitted under this subchapter changes, removes, or replaces the president or chief executive officer named on the permit or changes, removes, or replaces a stockholder who owns fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting shares of the publicly traded corporation's stock: (A) The permit issued under this subchapter is void; and (B) The publicly traded corporation: (i) Shall apply for a new permit under this subchapter; (ii) May be issued a new permit under this subchapter; and (iii) May operate under the voided permit for no more than thirty (30) days from the date of the change, removal, or replacement of the permit. (e) An entity may apply for and be issued a permit under this subchapter in advance of the effective date of the permit to facilitate continuity of business operations.

Legislative History

Added by Act 2023, No. 629,§ 10, eff. only upon the certification of the Arkansas Attorney General that the State of Arkansas is currently enjoined from enforcing Sections 2-5 of this act relating to delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol and delta-10 tetrahyrdocannabinol, but no earlier than August 1, 2023..