Arkansas
CANNABIS DISPENSARY REGULATIONS FOR ARKANSAS
Arkansas’ medical marijuana program has evolved significantly since its inception in 2016. As of September 2024, the state is considering potential expansions to the program through a ballot initiative. The Arkansas Medical Cannabis Amendment of 2024 aims to improve patient access, especially for those with lower incomes and people living in rural areas.
Key proposed changes include:
- Allowing physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists to certify patients for medical marijuana cards.
- Permitting telemedicine for patient assessments.
- Expanding qualifying conditions beyond the current 18 specified conditions.
- Allowing patients and caregivers over 21 to grow up to seven mature and seven young marijuana plants.
- Eliminating application fees for patient cards and extending card validity to three years.
The initiative has garnered significant support, with over 111,000 signatures submitted from 62 counties, surpassing the required 90,704 signatures from 50 counties.
Currently, Arkansas’ medical marijuana program maintains strict regulations:
- Patients must purchase marijuana from licensed dispensaries only.
- Home cultivation is not permitted.
- Patients can possess up to 2.5 ounces in a 14-day period.
- Usage is prohibited in public places, schools, correctional facilities, and vehicles.
The program has grown into a billion-dollar industry in Arkansas since sales began in 2019. However, it faces opposition from groups like Stronger Arkansas and the Family Council Action Committee, who argue that the proposed expansion would “drastically expand marijuana in Arkansas.”
As the state approaches the November 2024 ballot, the medical marijuana landscape in Arkansas remains dynamic, with potential significant changes on the horizon pending voter approval.
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CANNABIS LEGALIZATION HISTORY IN ARKANSAS
Arkansas has a limited history with cannabis legalization. In 2016, voters approved a ballot measure legalizing medical cannabis in the state, which allows qualified patients to purchase and possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis every two weeks.
Since the passage of the medical cannabis program, the state has faced challenges in implementing the program, including legal disputes over licensing and concerns about a lack of access for patients in rural areas. However, the program has continued to expand, with more than 30,000 patients enrolled and dozens of dispensaries open across the state.
While there have been some efforts to legalize recreational cannabis in Arkansas, these efforts have so far been unsuccessful. The state remains relatively conservative in its approach to drug policy, and possession of cannabis remains illegal in most circumstances.
Overall, Arkansas’ cannabis policy remains relatively limited, with only medical cannabis currently legal in the state. While the program has faced challenges in implementation, it has continued to grow and expand, suggesting that the state’s approach to cannabis policy may continue to evolve in the years ahead.