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FORT SMITH, Ark. – Two Fort Smith brothers know the pain of losing someone to a prescription drug overdose all too well.
“It’s so sad to see someone so good to be taken down by pills,” said Storm Nolan. “She was a smart, bright lady.”
Nolan and his brother Kane Whitt lost their mother to an opioid addiction at a young age.
The pain from a jaw disorder drove their mom to prescription pills.
“Over time, it just became where she had to take more and more then ultimately it became a dependence she couldn’t do anything about,” said Nolan.
The pair want to grow medical marijuana at a cultivation center in Fort Smith.
“If you start with a true passion for it..it’s not work it’s just doing what we can to make society better,” said Nolan. “I firmly believe Cannabis is the alternative that people really need.”
Nolan said he’s grateful the opoid emergency is now being addressed at the federal and state level.
“It’s about time we all start talking about it. And talking about constructive ways to deal with it,” said Nolan. “I think more Arkansans will be able to have these conversations about why did we end up here? What do we do? And I think cannabis will be a big part of what do we do.”
Nolan said if there license to grow pot is approved, 5% of their profits will go to a local drug rehab center.
They will also provide low or no cost medical marijuana to people who can’t afford it.
“Being able to go to work and know I was helping people each and every day that’s a great feeling. And if we are fortunate to get a license, that’s going to be the real driving force behind it,” explained Nolan.
The brothers said they should know if their license if approved by March.
As for what their mom would say knowing they’re trying to help people with these addictions, ” “I think she would be very supportive of what we’re doing,” said Nolan.
