Medical Cannabis Sales in Arkansas Reach $141 Million in First Half of 2023
Arkansas medical cannabis retailers reported increased product volume and sales within the first 6 months of the year.
Legalized in 2016, medical cannabis in Arkansas didn’t begin to sell until 2019 (1). In the first half of 2023, medical cannabis sales in Arkansas were reported hitting $141 million. This was a 5% increase from the same period, a year before, according to statistics from Arkansas’s Department of Finance and Administration (2).
Medical cannabis dispensaries also mentioned selling 29,057 lbs of cannabis. This is an increase of 23% year-over-year.
The state of Arkansas has 94,373 active cardholders through July 8, 2023 (3).
Arkansas’s medical cannabis market hit a bit of a snag in June 2023 when a judge (4) voided 27 law changes that had been enforced over several years.
An appeal is being organized by the state attorney general to the Arkansas Supreme Court to rectify these setbacks.
References
- History of Medical Cannabis in Arkansas https://www.safeaccessnow.org/history_of_medical_cannabis_in_arkansas (accessed Jul 12, 2023).
- Casacchia, C. Arkansas Medical Marijuana Sales Eclipse $141 Million in First Half of 2023 https://mjbizdaily.com/arkansas-medical-marijuana-sales-eclipse-141-million-in-first-half-of-2023/ (accessed Jul 12, 2023).
- Medical Marijuana https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/medical-marijuana (accessed Jul 12, 2023).
- Roberts, C. Judge Cancels Tweaks of Arkansas Medical Marijuana Laws https://mjbizdaily.com/judge-cancels-tweaks-of-arkansas-medical-marijuana-laws/ (accessed Jul 12, 2023).
Is Cannabis a Solution to the Opioid Crisis?
January 23rd 2025In this research overview, Ruth Fisher, PhD, explores how cannabis has shown promise in helping individuals reduce opioid use, potentially decreasing overdose deaths. Though its impact on chronic pain and opioid reduction remains evident, limitations exist and flaws in methodologies in ecological studies complicate conclusions.
