Arkansas’ Medical Marijuana Program Has Reached Over 100,000 Patients

The Arkansas medical marijuana program has officially surpassed 100,000 registered patients, marking a major milestone since voters approved the program through Amendment 98 in 2016. Despite having no recreational marijuana law in place, Arkansas has shown consistent growth in patient enrollment and dispensary sales, proving that medical marijuana is not only necessary, it’s here to stay.

With no legal home cultivation and tight qualifying conditions, many Arkansans still face barriers to access. But this milestone represents a growing acknowledgment that marijuana is legitimate medicine, and more residents are taking steps to protect themselves and access the relief they need by getting a medical marijuana card.

Arkansas Crosses the 100,000 Patient Mark

As of early 2025, over 101,000 Arkansans hold active medical marijuana cards, a record-breaking number for the Natural State. According to the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), this number includes a growing group of chronic pain patients, cancer patients, PTSD survivors, and individuals suffering from severe arthritis and neurological conditions.

These patients can legally purchase marijuana from licensed dispensaries across the state, up to 2.5 ounces every 14 days. While that amount provides relief for many, Arkansas still does not allow home cultivation, and access is strictly limited to patients with an approved list of qualifying conditions.

What Qualifies You for a Medical Marijuana Card in Arkansas?

The state currently recognizes these 18 qualifying conditions, including:

• Cancer

• Glaucoma

• Positive status for HIV/AIDS

• Hepatitis C

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

• Tourette’s syndrome

• Crohn’s disease

• Ulcerative colitis

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Severe arthritis

• Fibromyalgia

• Alzheimer’s disease

• A chronic or debilitating disease/medical condition/treatment that produces one or more of the following:

  • Cachexia, or wasting syndrome​

  • Intractable pain, or pain that has not responded to ordinary treatment or surgical methods for more than 6 months

  • Peripheral neuropathy

  • Seizures, including those characteristics of epilepsy

  • Severe nausea

  • Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristics of multiple sclerosis (MS)

• Any other medical condition or its treatment approved by the Arkansas Board of Health

Arkansans seeking medical marijuana must get a written certification from a licensed physician - that's where we come in, then apply through the Department of Health. We specialize in marijuana evaluations and offer telemedicine appointments, making it easier than ever to renew your certification.

For those suffering from debilitating symptoms, getting a medical marijuana card is more than just legal access, it’s peace of mind. You won’t risk criminal penalties, and you’ll have safe, regulated products at your disposal.

Dispensary Sales Reflect Patient Growth

As patient numbers have grown, so have the sales. Since Arkansas’ first dispensary opened in 2019, the state has sold nearly $1 billion in medical marijuana. In 2024 alone, dispensary sales topped $282 million, according to reports from the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission.

There are currently 45 licensed dispensaries serving patients throughout Arkansas. Some of the busiest are located in Hot Springs, Little Rock, Fayetteville, and Jonesboro, but smaller towns are seeing growth, too.

Each dispensary is tightly regulated, with lab-tested marijuana products ranging from flower and vapes to tinctures and edibles. Staff, often called “budtenders,” help patients navigate options based on their symptoms and preferences.

The Push to Expand Access

Advocates continue pushing to expand Arkansas' medical marijuana program. In February 2024, the group Arkansans for Patient Access received approval to collect signatures for the Arkansas Medical Cannabis Amendment of 2024, a proposed constitutional amendment that would bring sweeping changes.

It didn't reach the ballot and pass, but the amendment would have:

• Allowed home cultivation for registered patients and caregivers (7 mature + 7 immature plants)

• Expanded who can certify patients to include nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and pharmacists

• Permitted medical marijuana for any condition a healthcare provider deems appropriate

• Allowed recommendations through telemedicine

• Extended patient certifications from 1 to 3 years

• Increased reciprocity for out-of-state patients and allow cards for non-residents

• Legalized paraphernalia sales, such as pipes and vaporizers

Additionally, the amendment included a trigger law: if the federal government deschedules marijuana, Arkansas medical dispensaries could sell to adults 21+ even without new legislation.

Legal and Legislative Landscape

Although Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas legislature have largely opposed marijuana reform, some court decisions and bills have protected patient rights in recent years.

In 2023, the legislature passed a law ensuring that medical marijuana patients can retain their concealed carry permits, a move celebrated by patient advocates.

Also in 2023, an Arkansas judge struck down several legislative restrictions that had been placed on the voter-approved medical marijuana program, reaffirming that the will of the people must be honored when it comes to marijuana policy.

Still, most Arkansas lawmakers show little appetite for reform. Expansion efforts are likely to rely on ballot initiatives and continued pressure from grassroots organizations.

Final Thoughts

With over 100,000 Arkansans enrolled, the state’s medical marijuana program is no longer a niche initiative, it’s a vital public health resource.

As access grows and new proposals aim to expand the program, now is the time to take charge of your health. A medical marijuana card gives you safe, legal, and therapeutic access to a plant that helps thousands manage serious conditions every day.

And with no recreational program on the horizon, getting a card is still the only legal way to access marijuana in Arkansas. Whether you’re seeking relief, improved quality of life, or simply peace of mind, medical marijuana could be the right choice for you.

Get Your Medical Marijuana Card Today!

Medical marijuana is legal in Arkansas, and we can help you renew your medical card TODAY! If you qualify for your renewal, give us a call and we can help!

You need your medical card to access any of Arkansas’ medical dispensaries. Not to worry, because it is now easier than ever to renew your card with Arkansas Marijuana Card! Telemedicine makes it easy for you to renew your card from the comfort of your own home!

Schedule an appointment with one of our physicians to get started today!

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 Doctors Who Care

Relief You Can Trust

Here at Arkansas Marijuana Card, we aim to help everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.

Call us at (844)-249-8714 today, or book an appointment here.