Find a Dispensary in Arkansas

Marijuana Dispensaries in Arkansas

Cannabis laws in the United States vary by state, with some permitting both medicinal and recreational usage while others strictly prohibit it. Medical cannabis is permitted in 36 states along with the state of Arkansas and the District of Columbia as of September 2021, while recreational cannabis is lawful in 15 states and the District of Columbia. 

Cannabis, on the other hand, remains federally illegal, classed as a Schedule I narcotic with no recognized medicinal value and a high potential for misuse.

About Arkansas State

Arkansas, a state in the southern United States, is well-known for its scenic landscapes, diverse animals, and significant cultural heritage. 

Called the ‘Natural State’ is home to a wide variety of natural landscapes, including the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains, the Mississippi River, and a plethora of state parks and forests. 

The landlocked state is home to approximately 3 million people and is rapidly developing as an agricultural, industrial, and transportation hub in the region.

Another noteworthy thing about Arkansas that has always made it talk out of the town is its cannabis status which has always remained a roller-coaster ride amidst political controversy.

General overview of Arkansas cannabis status

– For medical purposes

Arkansas voters adopted a ballot initiative, legalizing medicinal marijuana in the state in 2016. 

The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment, often known as Amendment 98, permits qualified patients to get a medical marijuana card and purchase marijuana from registered dispensaries.

Cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, Tourette’s syndrome, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, PTSD, severe arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and many more diseases qualify for medicinal marijuana in Arkansas. 

Patients must receive a written certification from their doctor and apply for a medicinal marijuana card via the Arkansas Department of Health.

The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission licenses medical marijuana dispensaries. The state has 32 licensed dispensaries as of February 2023. 

Patients may purchase up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana every 14 days.

– For Recreation Purposes

Marijuana is prohibited in Arkansas for recreational use. The possession, sale, production, and distribution of marijuana for non-medical purposes are all considered criminal offenses in the state. 

Recreational cannabis usage is banned in Arkansas, with possession of up to four ounces beings punishable by a $2,500 fine, 1 year in jail, and a 6-month driver’s license suspension. 

On the other hand, the state has approved medicinal marijuana under specific conditions. It has been permitted in the state since 2016 according to a voter proposal that changed the state constitution. 

The history of cannabis prohibition in Arkansas, legal sanctions, failed and successful reform attempts and local changes are all points of discussion in recent times.

– History

Cannabis was criminalized in Arkansas in 1923, with New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington following the same tradition the following year.

– Punishable offenses

Possession of fewer than 4 ounces of cannabis is a Class A misdemeanor in Arkansas and is punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 and up to a year in prison. 

Possession of more than 1 ounce is a Class D felony for persons with 2 prior offenses, punishable by a $6,000 fine and a potential 6-year jail sentence. 

Furthermore, every cannabis infraction in the state results in a 6-month driver’s license suspension.

Arkansas medical marijuana act 2012

The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Act was rejected in 2012 by a vote of 48.6% to 51.4%. 

The measure would have enabled non-profit organizations to cultivate and sell medicinal cannabis and patients who reside more than five miles from an authorized dispensary to grow a restricted number of plants on their premises.

Act 2016

The state voters adopted the Arkansas Medicinal Marijuana Amendment on November 8, 2016, allowing the medical use of cannabis. 

Patients with a doctor’s recommendation may possess up to 22 ounces of cannabis for the treatment of any of 12 qualifying medical illnesses. 

The amendment requires the state to license between 20 and 40 cannabis outlets and four to eight growers. Patients, on the other hand, are not permitted to cultivate at home. 

The 2016 reform was ultimately a landmark decision in the cannabis history of Arkansas as it led to the launching of the first dispensary in Hot Springs in May 2019, which was soon accompanied by licensed sales.

2022: Failed recreational cannabis initiative

On November 8, 2022, the Arkansas Recreational Marijuana Initiative was not on the ballot in Arkansas as an introduced constitutional amendment.

If this bill would have been passed, it would have legalized marijuana usage for everyone 21 and over, regardless of residence.

In addition, this Marijuana Legalization Initiative would have also authorized the possession of up to one ounce of cannabis for adults over 21 but had to meet a dead end as it was defeated with 44% of the vote. The proposal would have permitted the selling of cannabis through regulated dispensaries but not home growing. 

Furthermore, the state would have levied a 10% tax on recreational cannabis sales, with the proceeds benefiting law enforcement, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and the state drug court program.

What are the Arkansas Municipal reforms?

Residents of Eureka Springs voted in 2006 to make cannabis law enforcement the lowest priority for police, and Fayetteville citizens followed suit in 2008. 

In 2021, the Little Rock Board of Directors mandated that adult misdemeanor marijuana investigations, citations, arrests, property seizures, and so forth be given the lowest law enforcement and prosecutorial priority when the quantity of cannabis is found to be for personal use. 

However, according to a 2019 analysis by the Arkansas Justice Collective, cannabis arrests in Fayetteville have climbed by 44% since the legislation was approved.

Future of Arkansas marijuana for recreational purposes

State Senator Joshua Bryant (R-Rogers) introduced SJR13, a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana in Arkansas by including a constitutional amendment on the 2024 general election ballot. 

The law would legalize marijuana for adults and allow for home and craft growing, though the latter is not defined. 

This pivotal decision comes after a failed ballot initiative to legalize marijuana in 2022. 

The Arkansas Adult Use Cannabis Amendment, which was supported by the state cannabis industry, would have legalized marijuana use for adults in the state while prohibiting home cultivation. 

The amendment, criticized for being excessively friendly to the existing marijuana sector, would have awarded recreational dispensary licenses to existing medical marijuana dispensary license holders and authorized 12 additional small growing cannabis facilities.

However, the amendment failed because affluent and esteemed Republican financiers, the Arkansas Family Council, and notable Arkansas marijuana proponents opposed it. 

The Arkansas Family Council, as well as Arkansas marijuana proponents David Couch and Melissa Fults, were among those who opposed the amendment. The amendment was defeated by a vote of 56.25% to 43.75%.

A nationwide anti-legalization organization, Smart Approaches to Marijuana, has already opposed the latest proposed measure. As it depicts a bleak future if marijuana was legalized in the state.

Although medicinal marijuana is permitted in Arkansas, recreational marijuana usage is still prohibited. 

Marijuana possession, growing, and distribution for non-medical purposes are all criminal offenses in the state. 

It is important to remember that marijuana regulations can change, and it is always preferable to contact a competent attorney or the Arkansas Department of Health for up-to-date information on the state’s medical marijuana program.