Arkansas Medical Marijuana Sales Exceed Expectations

Medical marijuana has been met with enthusiasm in Arkansas. The Arkansas Democrat Gazette reports that there have been $2.2 million in medical marijuana sales in less than two months from the date of the first dispensary opening. How do these numbers compare to other states? According to Doralee Chandler, director of Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control, sales here “appear to be some of the strongest in the industry.”

Just compare Arkansas’s medical cannabis sales figures to those of Ohio, a state with nearly quadruple the population. In the first full two months of medical marijuana sales, Ohio tallied less than $2 million, according to the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program.

Arkansas’ numbers are closer to those of neighboring Oklahoma, whose medical marijuana

sales began in October of last year. Per the Oklahoma Tax Commission, they brought in $1

million in their second month, which grew to $4.3 million in sales in January.

These numbers are even more impressive when you realize that all of this revenue came from two dispensaries open in the same city: Hot Springs, Arkansas. The first dispensary, Doctors Orders Rx, opened on May 10, and the second, Green Springs Medical, on May 12. As dispensaries open across the state, sales will continue to rise.

Additionally, medical marijuana prices are a bit steep right now in Arkansas, running $15/gram, which is 50% more than the average cost in other states with medical marijuana programs. These figures are projected to slowly decrease as new dispensaries open and more cultivators are licensed, encouraging more patients to purchase marijuana at dispensaries rather than illegally on the street.

So, what does the future look like for Arkansas? Here are the projected highlights:

● 40,000 patients and caregivers with a medical marijuana card

● $2.5 million in annual sales tax revenue

● 32 total dispensaries set to be licensed

● 5 cultivators set to be licensed

● Edibles, vape pens, and other products will be available in addition to dry flower over the

next few weeks

As of last Friday, over 15,000 patients and caregivers have been approved for a medical marijuana card in Arkansas. Many people are excited to see the growth in medical marijuana access for those in need in Arkansas. As voters approved the amendment for medical marijuana back in 2016, there has been a lot of anticipatory buildup for patients to have access to this healing medicine.

Keep an eye on current events to see when a dispensary will be opening near you. Head over to our Arkansas Medical Marijuana Doctors Location page if you are in need of a consultation to see if you qualify for medical marijuana.